BSDC students take centre stage at Derby Theatre

Performing Arts students from Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC) recently took to the professional stage at Derby Theatre, performing as part of the National Theatre Connections Festival.

Each year, the National Theatre commissions ten new plays specifically written for young performers. As part of this nationwide initiative, BSDC Level 3 Acting students, supported by Level 3 Production Skills students, staged ‘Wildfire Road’ by Eve Leigh — a powerful and timely piece exploring a generation whose future has been hijacked.

Set entirely on a flight from London to Tokyo, Wildfire Road unfolds as news breaks that the world below is being engulfed by a massive wildfire, with a hijacker on board the plane. The play is metaphorical and prophetic, tackling the urgent issue of the climate emergency and the need for immediate action before it is too late.

More than 250 youth theatre companies from across the UK take part in the Connections Festival each year, giving young people the opportunity to perform in professional partner theatres. As part of the experience, participating groups receive a rehearsal visit from a National Theatre director. BSDC students were delighted to welcome director Ellie Hurt, who provided valuable feedback and support ahead of transferring their performance to Derby Theatre.

One production of each commissioned play is ultimately selected to transfer to the National Theatre Connections Festival in London, the National Theatre’s annual nationwide youth theatre celebration. Productions are judged on clarity and audibility, storytelling, energy and conviction, as well as how effectively groups realise the writer’s intentions and respond to their professional director feedback.

Cat Palfreyman, Curriculum Team Leader for Performing Arts at BSDC, said: “Performing Wildfire Road at Derby Theatre was an incredible opportunity for our students. They showed enormous commitment, creativity and maturity in tackling such a challenging and important piece of theatre. Working with a National Theatre director and performing on a professional stage has been an invaluable experience and one they will carry with them into their future careers.”