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Abba-inspired musical Voulez-Vous earns Loughborough College performers a standing ovation

Posted: 21st June 2019 - 1:40pm
Local dignitaries joined the audience for Voulez-Vous, an uplifting Abba-inspired musical - which earned Loughborough College performers a standing ovation

Local dignitaries joined the audience for Voulez-Vous, an uplifting Abba-inspired musical - which earned Loughborough College performers a standing ovation.

Chief Executive John Doherty and Vice Principal Sharon Townes invited the Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor Brenda Seaton, and Councillor Margaret Smidowicz to join them at the College and they were amongst those enjoying the feel-good sing along, with proceeds going to local charity The Bridge.

“It added real sparkle for the students to perform for the Mayor and Counsellor Seaton and afterwards the Mayor spoke to the audience, saying there had been no stand outs as every one of the cast was such a talented performer, which was fantastic,” said Loughborough College performing arts lecturer, and the production’s musical director, Vicki Calvert-Gooch.

Performing arts students devised the story around no fewer than 18 of the band’s hit songs. “It was a continuation from the very popular Winter Warmer performance at Christmas, which was centred on a student house party. The action for Voulez-Vous set 18 months down the line after everyone has left college. The students were very excited to continue with their characters and create this ‘what happened next’ musical, the story of one student who organises a reunion at his failing beach bar – which everyone helps him save.

“The show featured students who joined the College two, three and sometimes four years ago and this was their last performance so it was very emotional. Some had been told at school that they couldn’t sing and had to overcome a long process of anxiety, going on to deliver outstanding vocal performances.“

The cast were joined by younger students on the course who had learnt all the choreography at the College dance club, run by performing arts lecturer, and the show’s choreographer and director, Graham Ireland. “The younger students did an amazing job of supporting the cast,” added Graham. “Meanwhile the older student cast have been doing all their preparation work for the performance in the middle of their exams, with all the pressure that brings. So I take my hat off to every one of them for pulling off such an amazing show. We are all very proud of them. The full standing ovation was certainly deserved.”

Voulez-Vous cast: Malakye Galloway Baxter, Emilia Hargraves, Katie Johnson, Christie King, Effie Langley-Evans, Iman Mohammadi, Katelyn Murphy, Josiah Oladoyin, Roby Singh, Megan Smith, Iona Wilkins, Rhi Williams

Pictured: Loughborough College Chief Executive John Doherty and Vice Principal Sharon Townes with Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor Brenda Seaton, and Cllr Margaret Smidowicz and Voulez-Vous cast members Roby Singh, Iman Mohammadi, Iona Wilkins and Effie Langley-Evans and performing arts lecturers Emma Ledsam, Graham Ireland and Vicki-Calvert Gooch