Performers College Birmingham stages first run of Level 6 Devised shows 

Our amazing third-year Birmingham students have just completed their performances for the Level 6 module, ‘Devised Professional Performance’. The Birmingham campus opened in 2021, making this our first third-year cohort to perform for this module. 

The module requires the students to collaboratively devise a 45-minute performance based on a specific theme, taking on various creative and on-stage roles that apply the skills they’ve learned during their course – skills they’ll require to produce their own show professionally. 

Musical Theatre student Erin Nicholson took on the role of co-musical director in her group: 

 “I really enjoyed the experience, and my group were brilliant to work with. It had a lot of hours of work put into it and it was so worth it. I was ensemble with a few different characters but behind the scenes I was one of the Musical Directors along with Emily Ward, which gave me valuable experience on both sides.”

 The students developed a wide range of themes, with exciting musical theatre and dance elements throughout. There were six shows from this year’s cohort, including: 

• The People’s Princess, a music and dance retelling of the life of Princess Diana, her relationship with Charles and Camilla, and her struggle with the press. 
• Façade, based on the life of Charlie Chaplin, including his rise and fall and homages to his iconic tramp character. 
• That’s Showbiz, A story in Golden Age Hollywood, inspired by 5 Hollywood icons – Judy Garland, Marylin Monroe, Ann Miller, Elizabeth Taylor, and Loretta Young.  
• Everything I Know About Love, adapted from the book by Dolly Alderton 
• Staying Alive, a calamitous story of an Accident and Emergency department gone wrong. 
• Going, Going, Gone, based on the life of Banksy, his work, and the implications of his art. 

 

Our in-house production team facilitated the staging of each show in our on-campus theatre, with Birmingham Production Manager Craig Scott and Performers College course leaders on hand throughout. 

Head of School, Adam Davenport, commented: 

“We’re so proud of our third-year training professionals for completing this run of shows. Seeing them implement the skills they’ve learned not only to perform, but also to work together and create a show of their own was brilliant, and a reminder of why we do what we do. Being our first third-year cohort at Birmingham, these students will also be our first graduates from this campus, and we can see already that they’re on their way to successful careers. Well done to all of you.” 

Congratulations to all the students who took part, we’re so proud of you all for the effort and hard work on display.

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