Wilkes Academy to put on back-to-back shows with star directors

Students in the third year of their degree course, franchised through Staffordshire University, are putting on two separate shows - Our House and Legally Blonde - over the next two weeks in a massive undertaking for the academy. 

The performances represent the end of 3 years of intensive training and education for the students, and for the academy, they form a huge milestone as this is the first set of degree graduates it has had. 

But on top of showcasing 77 talented local performers, both Our House and Legally Blond come with star directors to ensure the quality is high. 

The Wilkes Academy degree students making up the Our House cast (Image: Wilkes Academy)

Our House, which uses music from the band Madness, is taking place from April 27 to April 29 and is being directed by Award-winning theatre director Simon Grieff. 

He said: "‘Our House is a story that explores the themes of love, family values, growing up, responsibility and dealing with losing the people that shape us.

"Working with the students to discover all of this and watch them bring it so beautifully to life, has been a real pleasure. Here’s to a glorious production … and to their exciting future in the industry!"

And the stage adaption of the well-known Reece Witherspoon film, Legally Blonde, is being directed by stage star and former Hearsay band member Noel Sullivan. 

He said: "I was thrilled to be asked to lead the creative team for the very first batch of degree graduates at Wilkes Academy. It’s a momentous occasion and such an exciting time for the students who have worked tirelessly."

This show will run from May 4 to May 6. 

The Wilkes Academy degree students making up the cast for Legally Blonde with star director and former Hearsay band member Noel Sullivan at the back (Image: Wilkes Academy)

Both shows will be taking place at the Deanery Academy in Wichelstowe and students have been hard at work rehearsing.

Academy owner Jonathan Wilkes has praised them for their efforts. 

Jonathan Wilkes: "We are so proud of the outstanding career opportunities our students have gained over the years or have access to.

"These performance projects contribute significantly to providing the students with the essential experience needed to secure wonderful contracts in the creative industry when they leave us.

"There’s no doubt about it, the business is tough. Wilkes Academy not only trains and nurtures the skills of its students, but it also prepares them for every aspect of their chosen career as working professionals."

Posters for the two back-to-back shows Swindon theatre school Wilkes Academy is putting on with its degree students - Our House and Legally Blonde. (Image: Wilkes Academy)

For tickets to Our House and Legally Blonde visit: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/wilkes-academy?fbclid=IwAR0KvUPWqBplwuVs_wPI1fXJjwM7vDRY8-hae7MmFJy0tr3A19G464Pxu5o