PERFORMING arts students at Craven College are preparing a high energy, melodramatic, musical theatre performance of West Side Story at Skipton's Mart Theatre.
Based on a modern-day, loose re-telling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet tragedy of feuding families, the setting is the Upper West Side of New York City in the late 1950s with conflict between rival street gangs The Jets and The Sharks.
Lead roles are played by students studying on the Performing Arts Level 3 Diploma - Matthew Bown is Tony, Lily Normanton is Maria, Dexter Riley is Riff, Matthew Perkins is Bernado and Sophie Cooper and Sophie Holdsworth share the role of Anita.
Director and subject specialist leader for digital, performance and production Giles Atkinson said: “This is shaping up to be an amazing performance, the music, the choreography, everything is coming together for the students to give a great performance.
"The Mart Theatre is a great platform for emerging talent in the area to showcase their skills. Our students benefit hugely by taking part in and bringing their work to a new audience. It really stretches them and we hope the results will speak for themselves."
Performing Arts students work with a variety of organisations throughout the year including The Mart Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse, The Alhambra and The High Hat Theatre Company to gain experience alongside directors and the cast.
They will give two performance of West Side Story, tomorrow and Saturday at 7.15pm, and tickets costing £9 for adults and £6 for concessions are available from 01756 709666 or themarttheatre.org.uk
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