UoG Drama students selected for prestigious UK and international theatre festivals

University of Gloucestershire Drama students will present original and classical performances at two major festivals in the UK and Romania for the first time.

Students will perform their newly created Six Angels in Search of a Character as part of the York International Shakespeare Festival (21 April to 3 May), demonstrating the skills and knowledge they have developed on the Drama and Performance Practice programme.

The festival is an annual 10-day celebration of William Shakespeare as an international writer, which is held across a variety of venues in the city of York, including York St John University, Theatre @ 41, Friargate Theatre, York Explore and York Museums Trust.

Internationally, Drama students will travel to Romania to perform Everyman, a medieval miracle play, at the Babel Fast International Performing Arts Festival (6-14 June).

This renowned cultural event is in its 14th year and focuses on theatre, dance, music and outdoor performances with a different theme each year – this year the theme of the festival is ‘time’.

Student Hannah Niles said: “Taking this production to Romania will be a confidence-boosting experience. To have the opportunity to showcase what we are capable of to a completely different audience will be so rewarding.

“We have done numerous performances to predominantly English-speaking audiences, so performing in a space where we can’t rely on the language alone will be a challenging but rewarding experience.

“Additionally, having the opportunity to watch other performances across the week allows us to explore how other countries approach texts we already know, as well as watch international plays we haven’t heard of before.”

Academic Course Leader for BA (Hons) Drama and Performance Practice, Craig Norman said: “The opportunity for us to travel to Romania to participate in an international performing arts festival is fantastic, in terms of the students being able to apply all the acting skills that they have acquired and developed during their three years of study in a new and inspiring, overseas environment.

“In addition, students will also be able to participate in all of the exciting events that the festival has to offer and potentially make some international contacts for their future careers.

“Ultimately, for our aspiring actors and actresses to be able to list this opportunity on their CV’s and to be able to talk about it to any future employers is really positive.”

Picture: University of Gloucestershire Drama students rehearsing for their upcoming productions