Students from De Montfort University (DMU) are performing in Leicester’s Curve theatre this weekend, in a play which is regarded as a modern classic.
As part of an ongoing collaboration between Curve theatre and DMU, students have been able to work with director Nikolai Foster on the play Our Country’s Good.
The play is based on British convicts who were being exiled to Australia and it’s within this difficult environment that a young Lieutenant decides to stage a comedy production, The Recruiting Officer, with convicts as his cast and open opposition from senior officers.
The project gives students the opportunity to work in a professional environment on the play by Timberlake Wertenbaker, based on the novel The Playmaker by Thomas Keneally.
Abigail Colebook, first year student and cast member, said: “It has been great to work with Nikolai as a director. He’s really nice and you just feel comfortable with him from day one.”
Chris Howitt, a second year student who plays Ralph Clark, added: “Every director has a way of working, and with Nikolai this really feels like a collaboration, he is always open to ideas and suggestions.”
Lily Shaw Morris, a first year DMU student, said: “When you have a professional director and everything is done as it would be in the industry it’s a great experience.
“Last night was the first performance and it went brilliantly. It felt like our strongest performance so far, because you can really work off the audience.”
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The partnership between DMU and Curve involves a series of collaborations and connections, which also provides valuable opportunities for DMU students.
Corum Franklin, a second year drama student, added: “This experience has definitely helped with my studies, I’m going to be using this as a case study for one of my modules on the course and I think it’s absolutely vital that students practice what it is they want to do.”
Second year student Abigail Leeder, said: “The performances will be a great experience for us but a great experience for the audience as well and I really do feel so lucky to have this opportunity.”
Performances will be staged in the round this weekend, and limited tickets are available for tonight and tomorrow’s performances.
Posted on Friday 17 April 2015