School students from across the region were captivated by the dazzling performances at the recent school’s matinee of the Kingsclere Performing Arts Summer Showcase, held at the Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke, on Friday 21 June.
The matinee featured a variety of acts performed by the talented students of Kingsclere Performing Arts, the performing arts academy partner of Newbury College, demonstrating their skills in musical theatre, acting, and dance. Acts showcased were carefully curated extracts from the students’ other public performances over the past academic year, including musical number “Suddenly Seymour” from the smash-hit Little Shop of Horrors and a dramatic piece from Oliver Lansley’s Immaculate, a comic take on divine birth.
Other musical numbers and dramatic pieces came from West End and Broadways favourites, including Avenue Q, The Phantom of the Opera, The Play That Goes Wrong, Jersey Boys, Mean Girls, The Color Purple, The Little Big Things, A…My Name is Alice, Operation Mincemeat, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and Come from Away. Students also performed perfectly choreographed dances to hits, including Justin Timberlake’s “Lovestoned”, which the group had previously performed at Move It 2024, and a celebration of diversity and inclusion with a Pride Month-inspired tribute to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”.
Students from years 10 and 11 across local schools attended the event, which aimed to inspire and engage young people with live theatre. Linzi Mills, a student from Winton Community Academy, shared her excitement:
"It was amazing to see all the hard work and talent of Kings PA. It has definitely inspired me to audition for the college next school year!"
The collaboration between Kingsclere Performing Arts and Newbury College embodies the ethos of "Careers, not courses," by providing students with real-world experiences and opportunities to excel in their chosen fields.
Hannah Horton, Principal of Kingsclere Performing Arts, expressed her pride in the students' achievements: "The team and I are immensely proud of the progress our students have made. The Summer Showcase is a testament to their hard work and the comprehensive training they receive. We are thrilled to share their talents with the local schools and inspire the next generation of performing artists."
For second-year students, the Summer Showcase signifies the end of their journey with the college and the start of a new chapter, with this year’s graduates joining former alumni at prestigious institutions including Guildford School of Acting, Urdang, Mountview, East 15 School of Acting, Institute of the Arts Barcelona, Italia Conti, The Brighton Academy, Wilkes Academy, Dance Box, Lamda, Oxford School of Drama, Dance Box Studios, Performers, Creative Academy, PPA and Addict Dance Academy.
The showcase not only celebrated the accomplishments of the Performing Arts students but also underscored the value of engaging with the community to foster a love for the arts among young people. By providing this opportunity, Kingsclere Performing Arts and Newbury College aim to encourage students to consider careers in the performing arts, thus transforming lives and creating future opportunities.
Anyone wishing to find out more about the Performing Arts programme offered by Kingsclere Performing Arts in partnership with Newbury College, can visit newbury-college.ac.uk/performance. For those interested in other full-time vocational programmes, Newbury College is holding a Taster Day on 15 July. Register to attend at newbury-college.ac.uk/taster