Performing Arts students from Stratford-upon-Avon College transported audiences to the 80s recently in their first show of the year.
‘Liquid Lush’, a show performed by Level 2 Performing Arts students, introduces us to the employees who work at the Liquid Lush bar and the customers who frequent it. The show is a collection of the work of playwrights John Godber and Jim Cartwright, exploring their texts through acting, dance and song.
The show, which is set in 1980s Northern Britain, highlights the struggles and hardships that people were facing at the time, with the goal at the end of the day being to grab a pint from their favourite pub.
Showcased through a series of monologues, duologues, dance solos and group song numbers, the performers embodied the characters both physically and vocally. From the moments the lights went up, the performers were ready to transform the theatre into a 1980s, boozy, fun, if not slightly rundown, English pub.
The four intimidating bouncers, played by Kiearni Teague, Tilly Curry, Amy Cook and McGrath Emslie were hilarious opening the show with a parody rap to the 80’s classic ‘Rapper’s Delight’, establishing the world they had created. The talent continued when we were introduced to the waitresses of ‘Liquid Lush’, Performers Kateyln Rollason, Mollie Shaw, Sophie Beck and Lola Savery amusingly portrayed the trials and tribulations that comes with the job.
The audience were then exposed to vulnerability, in a dance solo performed by the extremely talented Carys Phipps. The dance touched on emotions we had yet to see in the show and showcased a high level of skill and technique.
The show also allowed for other emotional moments in a series of monologues and duologues performed by Ruby Humphrey, Madison Webb, Alanda Cowie and Tia Bentley. These were executed professionally and promoted connection with the audience.
It wouldn’t be a Performing Arts show without a song and dance number, and this show has got two. The first group number is a mash up of cheesy 80s classics such as ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’, ‘Stop In the Name of Love’ and more. The second group number was a dance number to a club remix of ‘Dancing on my own’ where the cast came together to have a whole lot of fun.
This show could not have worked without the involvement of the Backstage Production Arts students – who looked after the lighting, sound, stage management and more. As well like the rest of the cast, this was their first opportunity to tech a show and present the skills that they have been learning over the first few weeks of term.
