ALL THAT JAZZ: MUSICAL THEATRE STUDENTS RAZZLE DAZZLE IN END OF YEAR MUSICAL
24.06.2025HNC’s Applied Musical Theatre students have wowed audiences this weekend with a number of dazzling performances of the musical Chicago in the College’s state of the art performance space, The Boilerhouse Theatre.
Set in 1920s Chicago, the musical explores themes such as justice, fame and media influence as it follows the story of Roxy Hart – a housewife who has been imprisoned for murder. Students from Years 12 and 13 have been working on their production of Chicago throughout the year, and this weekend took to the stage with four show-stopping performances of this infamous musical. The run of shows commenced with Friday afternoon’s matinee performance, which was attended by two of our local high schools, All Saints Catholic College and Salendine Nook High School. Following a successful first matinee, the rest of the weekend saw three high energy performances to a packed auditorium. Opening with ‘And All That Jazz’ and closing with ‘Nowadays’, this engaging version of Chicago saw the College’s Applied Musical Theatre students wowing the audiences with their performances across the weekend. You can enjoy a gallery of images from the musical below.
The lead cast – many of whom all learnt a number of roles so that they could perform across the weekend – included students Abigail W (Velma Kelly, Mary Sunshine and Hunyak), Mollie S (Velma, Hunyak), Francesca C (Roxie Hart), Gray P (Roxie Hart), Mia H (Amos Hart), Allegra R (Mama Morton), Emma S (Mama Morton), Toby K (Billy Flynn), Mina T (Sergeant Fogerty), Katie (Mary Sunshine) and Lexi K (Fred Casely), were supported by a very talented ensemble cast who together, took the audience on a high-energy journey exploring the dark glamour of the American criminal justice system.
As well as performing on stage, students were also responsible for planning their sets and costumes, ensuring that the group developed a wide range of related skills. This multidisciplined approach to theatre is one of the key ways the College’s Performing Arts department challenges students to become their best selves and preparing them for their next steps. Mark Johnson, Teacher of Musical Theatre, shares more “This year’s end of year musical was genuinely show stopping – I am absolutely blown away by the level of professionalism, commitment and enthusiasm our students have put in to bringing this rendition of Chicago to the stage. This is a challenging musical to perform, and many of our lead cast rehearsed for more than one role, and worked closely together to ensure a flawless and high energy performance across four gruelling shows. Taking part in the end of year musical provides our Musical Theatre students with a genuine insight into industry, building key skills not only in performance, but across the whole production. It is not surprising to share that this year’s Year 13 students have all secured their dream next steps and will continue to wow on stages at universities, conservatoires, and theatres across the UK. I am also incredibly impressed by our Year 12 students who will be taking the lead role in next year’s musical. Well done everyone!”
Special thanks go to Mark Johnson (Director and Teacher of Musical Theatre), Emma Laws (Assistant Director and Teacher of Drama and Theatre Studies), Cat John (Choreographer and Teacher of Dance), Tom Meredith (Vocal Coach) and Bradley Wallace (Marketing, Promotion and Photography).
New Hey Road, Huddersfield, HD3 4GL
