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No ‘wishy washy’ performances in this panto

Screen Shot 2015-12-07 at 10.01.09SHE may look a little blue but Lydia Craven couldn’t be happier.

The 18-year-old is playing one of the lead roles in this year’s panto at Middlesbrough College.

Her beaming smile is also due to success at a recent cheerleading competition – she’s a member of the Puma Cheerleading squad that picked up a first place, a third place and a fourth place at a British Cheerleading Association (BCA) competition in Blackpool.

Lydia’s joined in the Middlesbrough College panto by Cyanne Amina Unamba-Oparah, 18, and Grace Allen, 17, who are playing Aladdin and the Princess.

The pantomime has been given a Teesside twist with plenty of local phrases and jokes, and features a few chart-topping tunes.

Lydia said: “It’s been hard work with a lot of preparation and rehearsal and I can’t wait for the audience to take their seats.

“Applying to Middlesbrough College was the best thing I ever did – the course is fantastic, the staff give you all the help you need and the experience I’ve had here has helped me take the next steps to the career I want.”

Claire Teesdale, theatre manager and visual and performing arts lecturer, said: “Staging performances helps the students gain real experience in their chosen disciplines but we’ve had so much fun putting this together that at times it didn’t feel like study.

“It’s an incredibly talented cast and production team and early next year the students will be applying for stage schools and university places.”

Zoe Lewis, principal and chief executive, said: “Every year the college hosts a panto, and every year the tutors and students excel themselves, it just gets better and better.”

The panto fun kicks off on Wednesday, December 9, and there are still tickets available.

Performances take place on December 9, 10, 14 and 17 at 7pm, with a matinee on Saturday, December 12 at noon. Tickets £9 (£7 concessions) available from college reception Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm. Tickets are also available on the door.

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By admin