University of Northampton’s acting students get ready to tread the boards at the Royal Theatre

It’s all lights, camera, action for the final year Acting students as they prepare for their upcoming graduate productions taking place at the Royal Theatre in March.

Rehearsals are well under way for the three shows that will take place across four days from Wednesday 15 to Saturday 18 March and will give the students the opportunity to showcase their efforts and talents as a culmination of three years of training.

Posh by Laura Wade is about an Oxford student dining club called ‘The Riot Club’, a fictionalised version of the Bullingdon Club, of which a number of well-known politicians were allegedly members. Performances take place on Wednesday 15 March at 7:45pm, Thursday 16 March at 3pm and Saturday 18 March at 4pm.

Pornography by Simon Stephens is composed of seven stories that serve as a countdown to the catastrophic attack on London on 7 July 2005. Performances take place on Wednesday 15 March at 3pm, Friday 17 March at 7:45pm and Saturday 18 March at 12pm.

Carol Churchill’s Vinegar Tom tells the story of two farm women named as witches by a man whose sexual advances they have spurned. The connection between the fear of female sexuality and witch hysteria is shown to be at the root of many problems in 17th Century society. Performances take place on Thursday 16 March at 7:45pm, Friday 17 March at 3pm and Saturday 18 March at 7:45pm.

Student Conor McCreedy is playing James Leighton Masters in Posh. He said: “Rehearsals for Posh are going very well and it’s looking to be a fantastic show with twists that will shock and intrigue. We are all very excited for Show Week and hope everyone is looking forward to it as much as we are. The Royal shows are always the highlight of the year for us.”

Jessica Bridge, who stars as Susan in Vinegar Tom, said: “I think this is the most exciting part of our course as it’s the biggest thing we get to do. We are working with a professional team which has been incredible. Four weeks of intense rehearsals is tiring, especially since Vinegar Tom has singing, but it’s so worth it. We have all learned so much from this experience as it’s the closest we’re going to get to the real industry. I adore the play and absolutely cannot wait to perform it in it. The show is going to be fantastic.”

Chris Burdett, Senior Lecturer in Acting and Drama, said: “These shows are always a highlight of our graduating year. They often serve as a catalyst for our students’ careers and the quality of acting is always a pleasure to behold. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone in supporting great young talent.”

Ticket prices start at £12.75 and are available from the Royal and Derngate website.