Two students from LCM performing in Twelfth Night. Both are dressed as cowboys.
Two students from LCM performing in Twelfth Night. Both are dressed as cowboys.

Local school pupils experience BA (Hons) Acting students’ performance of Twelfth Night at the University of West London

Intro

Twenty-five pupils from Heston Community School in Hounslow came to UWL on Friday 12 January to watch William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy Twelfth Night. The production, directed by Alexandra Whiteley, was an assessment for final year BA (Hons) Acting students at UWL’s London College of Music (LCM).

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The visit was part of UWL’s outreach programme which aims to build strong partnerships with local schools and support young learners in the community.

Outreach Coordinator Scarlett Collins said:

We have worked closely with Heston Community School on many occasions and were delighted to welcome them for this performance. This visit gave pupils the opportunity to learn more about theatre and we hope they enjoyed it and left feeling inspired!”

Three LCM students sat on a bench whlie performing in Twelfth Night. They are dressed like they are in a western.

The opportunity to bring pupils here for free is invaluable and could make a difference to their A-level grades,”

enthused Janet Macdonald, Curriculum Leader for English at Heston Community School, who attended the performance with the pupils.

Our pupils do not usually go to the theatre because it is so expensive. This performance brings the pages of the play to life for them. It also shows them what students only a few years older than them have achieved.”

Two students from LCM performing in Twelfth Night. One is wearing a black dress and the other has a colourful scarf and hat.

The Year 12 and 13 pupils are either studying or about to start studying the play and were able to participate in a Q&A with the cast and crew after the performance.

“We have only heard recordings and read the play as a class. Experiencing it first-hand gives you new insight. The actors are very professional. I felt like I was watching a big production,”

commented one year 13 student.

Another year 13 pupil explained:

It’s sometimes difficult to find the humour in Shakespeare when you’re reading it because of the diction. The actors did an excellent job. They have not deferred from the script much, but they have put their own spin on it.”

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