It’s been a busy summer so far for students and staff with spectacular sights and sounds on display.

The Happiness Project was a fitting finale after two years of hard work for Performing Arts students undertaking their Extended Diploma. The devised piece of theatre was presented in four acts ­– Resolve, Joy, Hope and Tranquillity – with students combining creative writing, movement, singing and acting to tell a beautiful story.

It was the first performance in the Sarah Siddons Theatre since the pandemic and was a huge success as the students pulled out all the stops with their stunning use of the set, multimedia, lights and smoke machines.

Not to be outdone, the Diploma Performing Arts students produced a hard-hitting protest piece, ‘Tell the Truth: Act Now Theatre for Change’, which began in the theatre with films the students had produced before a protest march to the park for a wonderful performance that wowed the audience.

The Sarah Siddons Theatre was also the venue for some brilliant summer gigs by student bands and solo performances, ranging from a self-penned Bossa Nova to an ambient beat-based version of Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’ from hit Netflix series Stranger Things.

Well done to everyone involved in what has been a summer to remember for staff and students!

Stephen Davis, Group Principal and CEO of the United Colleges Group, said:

“It has been an exciting summer for our Performing Arts students, with many stunning performances and thought-provoking pieces.

“We were delighted to welcome everyone back to the Sarah Siddons Theatre after Covid, and the students can be very proud as their artistic and musical pieces were well received by those lucky enough to watch them live.”