I can hardly believe we’re nearly at the end of the academic year. Term 5 was definitely the most intense yet, and, unusually for the Stagedoor set up, the term that felt most like “school”, because of the two rigorous external assessments the students had to complete. Not quite exams, but certainly with as much pressure.

This week has been half term, but we haven’t had a full week off – of course not! On Wednesday, we were at our second home, the Everyman, for a workshop with Layton Williams ahead of seeing him star in Hairspray that evening. Layton is a familiar face, having played the role of Stephen in Bad Education, though he is also known to the Stagedoor students through his work in musical theatre – he played Billy in the West End production of Billy Elliot and was last at the Everyman as Angel in the UK tour of Rent. The workshop was a lot of fun – some dancing, some singing, and a chance to chat about the show.

Our focus next term is Shakespeare. We will be back to a more normal routine of planning, rehearsing and performing, and will be on stage in a number of places over the few weeks. This Friday, 8th June, we’ll be singing at the Gloucestershire Volunteering Festival, and then on Monday 2nd July we’ll be in the Everyman Studio, presenting our summer showcase – If Music Be The Food Of Love – an evening of Shakespeare and song. This cabaret style evening will showcase some of Shakespeare’s most well known and well loved works, including Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Hamlet and some of his sonnets, as well as songs inspired by his work – expect excerpts from Kiss Me Kate, West Side Story, The Lion King and more. The show will be at 7.45pm and tickets, priced at just £6, will be on sale from the Everyman Box Office soon. Finally, we’ll be touring an abridged version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream to some local primary schools in the last week of term.

More details about all of these performances soon. Check back for further information later in the term.