Cabaret, the photos (Part 2)

Sally (Alice Tripp) teaches Cliff (Jordan Atkinson) how to dance in 'Perfectly Marvellous'.

Cliff (Jordan Atkinson) twirling Sally (Alice Tripp) in 'Perfectly Marvellous.'

Cliff (Jordan Atkinson) being shown his new lodgings by Fraulein Schneider (Shirley Richmond)

Sally (Alice Tripp) flirting with Cliff (Jordan Atkinson) at the NewYear's party

The Telephone Dance (From left Sam Dickinson, Luke Hutchinson, Gabrielle Smith-Hart and Chloe Spinks)

Sally (Alice Tripp) and Cliff (Jordan Atkinson) in his room.

The Kit Kat girls posing in Mein Herr

(From left top to bottom right Melissa Stevens, Bridie Daniels, Alice Tripp, Jemma Bunce, Jenny Love, Vicki Riley and Jessy Marsh)

                                                  Cliff (Jordan Atkinson) after the fight

Photos by Danika Sheals

Cabaret, The Photos

                                         The Emcee opens the show (Andy Dixon)

  Sally Bowles (Alice Tripp) performing 'Mein Heir' and the famous chair routine. (from left Chloe Spinks, Vicki Riley, Jessy Marsh, Jennifer Love and Melissa Stevens make up the                                                   fabulously trashy Kit Kat Klub girls)

 Sally weedles her way into staying with Cliff (Jordan Atkinson) and they both decide it is 'Perfectly Marvellous'

 Sally and the Kit Kat girls perform 'Don't Tell Mama' (From left Bridie Daniels, Jennifer                                       Love. Alice Tripp, Jessy Marsh and Chloe Spinks)

                            'Would you like to buy a girl a drink?' - Telephone Dance

Fraulien Kost tries to ramp up business. (Jordan Atkinson as Cliff  and Sarah Deacon as                                                                       Kost)

The girls decide which of the men they want in 'The Telephone Dance (From left  Jessy Marsh, Sarah Deacon, Gabrielle Hart, Melissa Stevens and Chloe Spinks)

Cliff meets Herr Schultz for the first time (From left Jordan Atknison as Cliff, Steve Spencer as Schultz and Shirley Richmond as Fraulien Schnider)

               Sally Bowles acting innocent for 'Don't Tell Mama' (From left Bridie Daniels,                                                Alice Tripp and Jennifer Love)

The engagment party descends into a passionate affair for 'Tomorrow Belongs To Me' (From left Jemma Bunce, Vicki Riley, Melissa Stevens, Sarah Deacon as Fraulien Kost, Peter rugman, Joe Prestwich as Herr Ludwig and Luke Hitchinson)

Herr Ludwig (Joe Prestwich) makes an American friend called Cliff (Jordan Atkinson) on the train.

 

The EmCee (Andy Dixon) calls forth the Kit Kat girls to do their thing in 'Wilkommen'

 

The girls act cute and innocent in the opening number 'Wilkommen' (From left Jessy Marsh, Bridie Daniels, Andy Dixon as the EmCee, Gabrielle Hart, Jemma Bunce and Chloe Sprinks as the frisky Kit Kat Klub dancers)

Before turning the tables and becoming 'sluttier' - Quote from Graham Hamlyn, the director

All photos were taken by Danika Sheals

Cabaret, The Review

“There was a cabaret, and there was a master of ceremonies… and there was a city called Berlin, in a country called Germany… and it was the end of the world.”

Cabaret first hit the stage in 1966 when it had its first Broadway production. Since then it has continued to build up its fan base and has been shown continually in theatres around the world. The musical became so popular that in 1972 the script was adapted for film and starred the massively famous Liza Minnelli.

And then Cabaret was to be performed by our very own students at Blackpool Sixth, and the pressure was on. There were big shoes to fill and expectations to meet. I was lucky enough to catch the Blackpool Sixth production on its opening night on the 2^nd March at Montgomery High School. I was not sure to expect and so I was prepared for anything!.

As the audience descended and the lights went out, all whispers silenced and all eyes were on the closed curtain. Silence. Then, as the anticipation was becoming almost painful, a single hand broke through the curtains and clicked rhythmically. On cue the band played, the curtains opened and the cabaret began.

I was impressed by what I had seen. So much so in-fact, that I was thankful to catch my breath during the interval; after which it was back to the marvellous madness. I was first blown away by the talent it we have at Blackpool Sixth. From the Emcee (Andy Dixon) and the Kit Kat dancers’ spectacular opening with “Wilkommen” to the beautifully sang sentimental number “Maybe this time” from Sally Bowles (Alice Tripp), the musical numbers were brilliant. Not only the singing and dancing was impressive, the largely impressive eleven-piece live band sounded brilliant too. The numbers were catchy and enthralling and the amount of energy put into them by the cast furthered this ten-fold.

The show seemed to go pretty much hitch free. Despite some minor issues with microphones producing startling bangs every now and then (it kept the audience on their toes) and some silences on stage, the performance seemed anything but “amateur” as the programme declared it was. The acting was emotive, full of life and full of personality from everyone, even those without speaking lines. It was nice to see that it was not only students getting involved; Blackpool Sixth’s own Steve Spencer and Shirley Richmond played the delightfully adorable Herr Schultz and Fraulein Schneider.

Having never seen Cabaret before the story was new to me. For those who have never seen it, go out and see it! A lot of stuff goes down! Set just before the start of Nazi Germany, 1929-1930, the play follows an American writer and his lady friend who he meets at the Kit Kat cabaret nightclub. The play unfolds as Germany starts to change with the politics and the times become more sinister. Cabaret has a dark and sinister undertone with a sprinkling of jazz hands and catchy songs.

I was very impressed by the performance and was surprised how drawn into it I became. Hardcore fans may be disappointed to hear that the number “Money Money” was cut from the production but it was still great without it. My three word summary for this production would be: sexy, sinister (and) superb”. Zehr Gut!

If you’re looking for a play with romance, lust, pineapples, knickers and Nazis then let it be this one! After all what else could you be looking for? Auf Weidersehn!

Written by Jack McCafferty

February Fashions

On the 15th of February, our business students finally got to see their masterpiece come together. Their project was a fashion show to be supported by local fashion retailers and our own fashion students.

Karen McCann reports.

The night was well received with staff, students and members of the public showing up in support for Trinity Hospice.
The show kick started with a fantastic performance from a small group of students from the performing arts department of Blackpool Sixth Form College, doing a tap routine fully choreographed by the dancers, to "Show Me How to Burlesque".
Swiftly followed by a truly inspired catwalk show displaying the recent range of 'Next' clothing; it really did feel like a professional show at London Fashion Week.
The photographer for the event was Abby Waylett and Johnny Blackburn, who took the role and  executed it with the highest of standards.
Everything from the music to the lighting was so well organised that the business BTEC students should not only be proud of their work, but also thanked!
After a brief interval, where a group of dancers all the way from Chester put on a lovely performance, before a selection of 24 outfits made by the fashion BTEC students from the college, mainly decorated blazers, were worn on the catwalk. This was closely followed by a short speech from a Trinity Hospice representative who gave thanks to the organised team for a wonderful evening, detailed what work the charity does and how nice it was to get money donated by the college.
The night concluded with a lucky winner of the raffle, receiving a meal for 4 at the Hilton; I am very jealous.
Congratulations to everyone who took part, I know I had a great night.

The Cabaret Files

Once again we have a student of Blackpool Sixth profiled to coincide with our production of Cabaret

In The Chair: Andy Dixon

Character: The Emcee

Andy is in upper sixth and wants to direct when he’s older. He comes from Luton and isn’t naturally an A* student and puts effort into whatever he does.

What do you like about Cabaret?

I really like the storyline, how it’s not your stereotypical happy-go-lucky musical where everybody has a happy ending, I don’t want to spoil it but no one ends up marrying their true love!

I think the nature of it will appeal to everyone due to the debauchery. It’s like Skins in the 1920s

What do you think of your role?

Well it isn’t like what I normally play. I usually play a very straight acting part, no singing or dancing. I like how ambiguous the character is, you never see him off stage, and he is permanently the showman.

Is there anything you don’t like about our production?

Well, the only thing would be the commitment of others. Everyone signed a contract saying they would be there and I understand people being annoyed with having to wait 2 hours in rehearsal to say 1 line, but when that person doesn’t turn up, the show really can’t go on.

What is your favorite thing about Cabaret?

I really enjoy working with Graham (The director) as I think he really manages to do a good job and gives it his all. When everybody has contributed as well, the feeling of self-pride that you get, can’t beat it!

What is the hardest thing about the live show?

Staying calm!

Do you and your role share any traits?

We both share the same kind of erratic behaviour and the biggest difference is I am not, ever, a showman.

Do you think there is anything/ anyone to look out for on the night?

The chemistry between Alice Tripp and Jordan Atkinson is really something. Her acting, dancing and singing is magnificient. Jordan however, I have never seen him do a serious role so that will be good to see.

We look forward to seeing you in Cabaret on the 2nd 3rd and 4th of March and have our fingers crossed nobody actually brakes their legs!

Written by Johnny Blackburn

Blackpool Sixth eagerly awaits its brand new theatre

The Blackpool Sixth Campus’ face lift is soon to be completed. It has been assured that the newest addition to the Campus Redevelopment Programme, which has already begun and is progressing quickly, will be completed in the summer of next year, ready for the start of the academic year starting in 2011. Our Vice Principal, Alan Lloyd, thought he would have a look see and contribute to the effort to fix the huge steel framework together.

Alan Lloyd explained, “This is the third fantastic building I have been involved in.  This time I wanted to get hands-on and it has certainly increased my respect for those that have to brave the Blackpool weather to build it.” Personally, I find it questionable as to how this got past health and safety but it’s nice to see our senior management team contributing to the cause. 

As a student, it has been a beautiful thing to see my place of education grow and improve – as beautiful as steel girders and construction machinery can be. The new building will house a professional standard, fully fitted, 300 seat, super special awesome theatre along with two drama studios and a couple of classrooms thrown in too. And that’s just the ground floor! The £5.5 million building, in its entirety, will hold eighteen brand new classrooms.

It comes as no surprise that the performing arts students are pretty excited. This year it has been down to Blackpool’s high schools, Blackpool Sixth’s partner schools, to host the college’s performances and music events. In March of next year our production of Cabaret will take place in Montgomery High School from the 1^st to the 4^th.  

With the new building on its way it seems that now is a good time to reflect on the old “new building”. The £20.5 million campus has already brought us a top of the range set of science labs, IT classrooms, a learning centre and a brand new library. Also, the introduction of the Medlock building gave us a brand new open plan art department, media suite and social science department not to mention the student services and welcoming reception we trudge through daily. We’re a lucky bunch really!

Unfortunately, this years upper sixth may not get the opportunity to fully take advantage of the new theatre when it is completed but for those lucky lower sixth and prospective students, we hope you enjoy it.

Written by Jack McCafferty

THE CABARET FILES

To coincide with our production of the Broadway musical, we present a series of cast profiles.

In The Chair: Joe Prestwich

Character: Ernst Ludwig

An ex-student of the college now working in the FYI. We were very grateful for Joe to give us a few minutes of his time to discuss his role in the upcoming Blackpool Sixth production of the musical Cabaret.

So Joe, could you tell us exactly what Cabaret is all about?

Well, it’s a great musical. It’s all about the nightlife of Berlin at the start of World War II, and the people involved. The characters are really fun and interesting, but at the same time its quite sinister, and the music really sets it all off.

And what character do you play?

I play Ernest Ludwig.  He’s a great character, I find him really exciting to play. At the start he seems a really nice funny guy, all about the parties and women. But what makes him a very good character to me, is that he has quite a dark side- He belongs to the Nazi Party, and because of this he becomes part of the bigger twists in the play.

So what’s the overall dynamic of the rehearsals like? Does everyone get along?

Well, I’ve not been there for all of them, but the ones I have been there for are usually a lot of fun. Everyone seems to get on very well, most of the time.

How are you feeling about the performance? Are you nervous?

Mostly I’m just excited, because I like Ernest so much (though I would be hesitant to say I identify with a Nazi.) At the moment, it doesn’t really feel like a proper show to me, because we’ve never done a full run through before. I think when we do, I might be a bit nervous…

How would you feel about doing future productions?

Yes, yeah, definitely. I did drama in high school, and when I was a student here, I always wanted to get involved. So to be doing it now… it’s great.

We are very much looking forward to seeing Joe in Cabaret, and we wish him and the rest of the cast a ton of luck with the upcoming rehearsals!

Written by Catherine Hindle


You can catch Cabaret at Montgomery High School on the 2nd 3rd and 4th of March.