Young Hopefuls on ‘Fringe’ of Stage Stardom

Young actors and musicians are preparing to showcase their talents at one of the world’s most famous arts festivals.

Students from Lincoln’s Bishop Grosseteste University College will set off on Saturday for a week-long run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Around 35 second-year drama students will perform in parades, street theatre comedy skits and a full-scale musical production – joining 18,000 other entertainers from around the world.

Bishop Grosseteste has had links to the festival since 1984 – but has only staged full-scale productions there since 2005.

This year’s crop have a tough act to follow with their rendition of Treasure Island: The Musical – because the previous two years’ shows by college theatre company BG Touring have sold out.

Ryan Blackburn (20), who is juggling his position as the company’s head of marketing with his role as a pirate, said: “People who have been in previous years have said it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“It’s also the chance to be like a professional theatre company, which is quite a rare opportunity. It’s kind of a make or break situation but everyone in the company has thrown themselves into it.”

Matt Willsher, who plays Long John Silver, is managing director of BG Touring.

The 20-year-old said: “I’ve always wanted to go to Edinburgh to perform at the Fringe so as soon as I heard my university did this trip, I wanted to be part of it.”

Senior lecturer Karen Dainty, who is directing Treasure Island, said: “We’ve chosen to take a family show purely because in Edinburgh there are thousands of different performances but very little that’s family-orientated.”

Along with daily productions of Treasure Island, students will put on five different street theatre performances throughout the week.

They include comedy sketches about a dog training expert, a chain gang and a group of milkmen.

The university’s samba band will also join a musical cavalcade through the streets.

It is not just the dramatic performances the students have had to polish – they have also had to handle the behind-the-scenes aspects of running the touring company.

They raised about pounds4,000 towards the costs, and have organised the costumes, sets and logistics.

Fringe liaison officer Helen Cash (20), said: “I didn’t think it would be as much hard work. It’s been stressful but it’s been an amazing experience and it will look really good on my CV.”

(c) 2008 Lincolnshire Echo. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.