Acting students to ‘flash’ their talents across town as part of a week-long theatre festival

The University of Northampton’s final year Acting students will be gracing stages all over the town this week in various performances as part of this year’s Flash Theatre Festival, which has been organised by Events Management students.

Taking place from Monday 16 until Saturday 21 May, the Festival consists of 13 theatre groups performing 39 individual shows across three venues. The shows vary in content and nature and will tackle some contemporary issues, such as dealing with cancer, mental illness and depression.

Student Elizabeth Adejimi has focused her performance around the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), which is a subject she is very passionate about due to her Nigerian roots. She said: “My piece is about a young girl who doesn’t realise that she’s about to undergo FGM, a practice that still occurs in many countries around the world.  As this affects many young girls, I wanted to highlight the issue and raise awareness, which I chose to do through my acting.

“I’m looking forward to showcasing all my hard work. It’s a combination of three years training on the BA (Hons) Acting programme at the University of Northampton and I’m looking forward to what’s next.”

Third year Events Management student Vicky Cooper is leading a team of four other students – Daniel Gardner, Alisha Ruth Francis, Lucy Taylor and James Bromfield – in organising the festival. Vicky said: “All of us in the events team have gained valuable experience in the industry while on placement this year already; however the Flash Theatre Festival has definitely taught us many new skills.

“It has been a great experience working alongside the Acting students to create what will hopefully be the best festival yet. With 13 shows on offer throughout the week, it really can’t be missed.”

Chris Burdett, Senior Lecturer in Acting and Drama at the University of Northampton, commented: “Every year our third year students create new and exciting theatre and this year is no exception. Every year we are privileged to see the talent on show. From centuries old basements to centuries old churches – the venues for this year’s festival – our students will be performing their own shows on topics as diverse as social media, FGM and false memory syndrome to name just three. We hope that you can come and share with us at the Flash Theatre Festival 2016.”

The Festival has been organised in conjunction with the Looking Glass Theatre and the performances are taking place at St Peter’s Church, Hazelrigg House and Castle Hill United Reformed Church.

Tickets for the performances are now available.