I had the pleasure of watching Hackney Community College's Performing Arts students showcase some of the work they had done with actors from the Synergy Theatre Company recently and honestly I was so impressed!!
The students worked with a lovely lady called Ann Ogbomo and her colleague Mark Williams on a project based on a controversial play called Jesus Hopped The "A" Train. I haven't seen the play myself but the display put on by the students made me want to rush out and buy a ticket that same minute.
The play follows the lives of two convicted killers in an American prison emphasising the battles they face with their demons, their conscience, the brutal prison system and general society. The students, who were all first years, explored the play's main themes and developed their own interpretation through imagery, word and action which they performed for us in the college's Margaret Shepherd studio.
Despite being first years they came across as seasoned pros!! You could tell they were born to perform and they, like myself, enjoyed every minute of the show.
One person who stood out for me was very enthusiastic drama student Yetunde Lawal aged 17 who said: “This was the best workshop I’ve ever been involved in. I have learnt so much about my ability as an actor. Overall the Performing Arts course is really good. The teachers are brilliant and are committed to seeing us all succeed.”
And what a success it was. I'm sure our students will be in the run-in for prestigious acting awards in the near future. Did I hear the Oscars????
