Performing Arts Students Visit National Theatre Ahead of Production - 01/02/11

Students from the Performing Arts Department at Canterbury College have visited the costume store at the National Theatre to make sure they have exactly the right look for their latest production.

Second year students doing BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts and BTEC National Diploma in Production Arts are putting on a production of “Touched”, a Stephen Lowe play written in 1977 but set during the war in the 1940’s.

The play follows a group of working-class Nottingham women over the 100 days from VE Day in May 1945 through to the surrender of Japan in the August of that year.

Students who visited the National Theatre had a tour of the 1945 clothing stock before selecting outfits suitable for the production. They also combined the trip with a visit to the Imperial War Museum as part of their research into the social context of the play.

The group were accompanied on the trip by Miriam Ellis, Trainer Demonstrator in Costumes Props at Canterbury College, who has worked in the West End on shows including Grease, Fame and The Sound of Music and also the arena tours of Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing on Ice.

Miriam said: “It’s the first time we’ve taken a group of students to the National Theatre Costume Store and it was a fantastic experience for them. They were able to see how a professional costume department works and gained a lot from working with the staff there.”

Tanesha Fothergill, 18 from Ashford, played Bridie in the production she said: “we all really learned a lot from visiting the National Theatre and got a great insight into what fashion was like in 1945. I actually like the dress I wear in the play but I’m not too keen on the shoes.” Tanesha added: “Going to the Imperial War Museum helped us to really put the play in context and understand what was going on in the country at that time.”

“Touched” is being staged in the Lanfranc Theatre at Canterbury College on Thursday 3rd February with performances at 2pm and 7pm – visit our events page for ticket information.

See more photos of the production of “Touched”

See more photos of the production of “Touched” on Facebook