Welcome to sandymouth, a picture postcard perfect seaside town for summer every year. Except it isn’t anymore and with winter starting, people are questioning how they are going to survive. Sandymouth isn’t what it used to be, the once fun and homely seaside shops now seem like a death sentence. Sandymouth is now one of the most unprofitable towns in Devon with residents left desperately relying on tourists who never seem to come. Much like the income, the sense of community in Sandymouth is also almost nonexistent. Meet Deborah, Lucy, James, Arthur, Emma, Bea, Megan, Natalia, Isabella and Stephanie all unsatisfied Sandymouth residents in search of something. What happens when the locals ,who were perhaps hit the hardest by sandymouths rotten luck, are lured onto a mysterious boat? With the threat of death hanging over their heads evermore prominently now, they must work together with some unlikely friends to get off the Boat before it is too late.

Amy Moore

character: Emma Rigby 

destination next year: University of Falmouth, on their musical theatre course

-By being on this course, Millie has learnt that not everything will come easy to you and it’s important that you continue to work hard in order to achieve your greatest. She also knows how crucial it is to spread kindness and positive energy to everyone around her, as she’ll never know who she’ll bump into in the future. 

-Millie is certain that anyone can excel on this course with hard work and determination. You just need to believe in your own ability to grow as a person, and a performer. 

-Millie is most proud of successfully making it through all of her drama school auditions and getting into university, as it made all of her hard work on the course worth it. 

She also performed in Her Majesty’s Theatre in London! 

Robyn Moss

character: Natalia Cash

destination next year: London Studio Centre

-By being on the course, Robyn has been able to experience how a professional working space feels, which has taught her valuable skills that she can take into her future careers and opportunities. 

-Robyn believes that it is crucial that you keep up with work and tasks that have been set, regularly, as it is harder to catch up if you fall behind. This will also prepare you for working professionally after college, as deadlines are important. 

-Robyn is most proud of becoming a production assistant at a local dance company, as she has managed to bring back a tap group in order for them to perform all over the south west. This creates great opportunities for them, as well as Robyn, and this really presents success due to being on the musical theatre course. 

Amber Blackshaw

character: Isabella Parkway

destination next year: University of Chichester, Musical Theatre Performance 

-By being on this course, Amber has learnt a range of new techniques within all disciplines, as well as the ability to be resilient in not only the course, but in outside auditions too. 

-A piece of advice Amber would like to share is the significance of putting yourself first. You should always do what’s best for you and think about what makes you stand out above others. 

-Amber is most proud of her growing confidence, helping her to audition for parts she wouldn’t think she would go for. This has given her the opportunity to be apart of multiple shows, including Matilda Jr, The Show Must Go On, and Sleeping Beauty. 

And if that wasn’t enough to impress you, she can even do the moonwalk in pointe shoes!

Elsie Gordon 

character: Megan Miller 

destination next year: London South Bank University 

-Elsie has learnt how much opportunity a single script can give you in order to bring a character to life, by using a range of techniques. 

-Elsie’s top advice to you is to not be afraid of making mistakes! Everyone will make mistakes, but you will always benefit from them, so it’s important to challenge yourself to achieve your best. She also believes it’s important to be kind to everyone around you, as you will enjoy the course so much more if you support them and know you can rely on one another.

-Elsie is most proud of her auditions. She loves getting the chance to create work that she is proud of and showing it to a range of people, all across the country. 

Mya Stevens

character: Bea Johnstone

destination next year: planning to take a gap year, in order to gain more experience to audition for drama schools the flowing year. 

-By being on this course, Mya has learnt the importance of working as a collective group to create a performance, and all the different individual skills that are needed to bring it all together. 

-Mya also believes that the most important advice is to keep up with work set regularly. She knows it can be difficult at times but even a small paragraph each rehearsal or a start to a task will get you in the swing of it. Perhaps get yourself into a good routine so you don’t fall behind. 

-Mya is most proud of getting an amazing job, outside of college, as part of an event company. This allows her to do what she loves - performing - even more! 

Mya particularly loves playing guitar. Perhaps this reflects onto her character in the show, so make sure to take in all the details! 

Amy Proll

character: Deborah Williams 

destination next year: Plymouth University, studying Musical Theatre

-By being on this course, Amy has learnt that anyone creates their best work when they’re willing to take risks. You need to remember that everyone is in the same boat, so don’t be afraid to make yourself look a bit silly, if it means you’ll do well.

-Amy’s advice for anyone would be to just smile! Always be yourself, apart from when you’re acting of course, and take risks whenever it is possible in order to exceed.

-Amy is most proud of being a part of her theatre group, Centre Stage, who won the All England Dance competition with first and second place medals last year. She believes that the performance skills she has learnt and mastered on this college course have really helped her to achieve this. 

Amelia Meldrum 

character: Stephanie Hodge

destination next year: planning to take a gap year, in order to start working and gain more experience before going off to university. 

-By being on this course, Amelia has learnt the importance of taking risks and pushing herself as much as possible, in order to create her best work. 

-Amelia's advice, like many others, would be to ensure you're always keeping up to date with the theory work that is set. This will get you into good habits for future careers and prevent any last minute stress overwhelming you. She also believes it is just as important to be completely confident in everything you do, on and off the stage!

-Amelia is most proud of performing with companies in her local area , due to the confidence, knowledge and experience she has gained from the course.  

Sophie Alford

character: Lucy Spiller 

destination next year: UCW or taking a gap year in order to gain more experience.

-Sophie has learnt to have confidence in herself over the time period of the course, and how to work and collaborate as a professional company.  

-The advice that Sophie would give somebody joining the course would be to take risks! This is important during rehearsals and performances, and it's the main way to help you improve. 

-Sophie is most proud of having been given the opportunity to perform in a professional company, with industry professionals, at the Exeter Northcott Theatre. 

Harry Woolfenden

character: Arthur Pane

destination next year: Chichester University 

Harry has learnt a plethora of things, including techniques for dance, singing and acting. But by being on the course, he has also had the chance to realise where his strengths lie and discover the things he really enjoys performing. 

Harry believes that sometimes it can feel a bit overwhelming or you may not feel motivated, but you just need to power through and keep with it. It might surprise you with how much fun you have along the way! 

Harry is most proud of having been able to gain connections and work in the industry with professionals. 

Musical Theatre composer Stephen Sondheim had a list of rules that he used when creating new work.....God is in the detail, content dictates form, less is more and all these in the service of clarity and truth. Choosing a show for our students to work on as part of their Final Major Project, is, in truth a huge challenge! Our priority is to choose something that allows all our students the opportunity to achieve the best possible grade for their work, but at the same time is challenging, relevant and manageable in a tight time frame within the context of an educational establishment. This year, we have been delighted to work with composer Elfyn Jones, to overcome the problem of which Musical to choose by creating a brand new show. Elfyn is familiar to our faculty and students as he has been our accompanist for many of our past performances and assessments. He has been working alongside our Extended Diploma students since October, creating the world of Sandymouth and it’s inhabitants, both living and spectral! The students have been in the unique position of being able to contribute to the creation of their characters and to have music written specifically for them. It has been amazing opportunity to work alongside the writer to answer questions and develop plot, themes and material. 

Clarity and truth has been our company motto for the project. We hope that the positive messages of hope, reconciliation, friendship, rejuvenation and the endless opportunities for positive change in our society are the truths you take away from the residents of Sandymouth and the ghosts of the Lillie May.

Katy Baker

Story created by Elfyn Jones and UAL L3 Extended Diploma Musical Theatre students

Script, score and arrangements written by Elfyn Jones

Musical Accompaniment Elfyn Jones 

Producer, Director, Musical Director Katy Baker

Costume Chrissie Boyd with 

Set and Props Design Mike Reddaway with 

Publicity and Marketing Ben Smith with

Lighting Design Rachael

Sound Design Elfyn Jones

Lighting Operator

Sound Operator

Deputy Stage Manager

Stage Manager

Follow Spot Operator

 

With thanks to 

Exeter College Faculty of Media and Performing Arts, Northcott Theatre, Barnfield Theatre, Marvellous Eventures, Theatre Alibi, Adrian Chaplin, 

 

Arthur....... Harry Woolfenden.     James...... George Moran.

Lucy...... Sophie Alford.             Isabella...... Amber Blackshaw.    

Natalia...... Robyn Moss.           Deborah...... Amy Proll.

Stephany....... Amelia Meldrum.     Bea....... Mya Stevens.

Megan...... Elsie Gordon.                 Emma....... Millie Hope.

 

Ghosts/Townspeople......

Archie Parkins, Dolly Wicks, George Jones, Henry Ewan, Jessie Pearson, Lola Mason, Mollie Summers, Niamh Monaghan, Persephone French, Teddy Wels, Taz Paterson, Ell Burton, Lily Kenny, Amy Moore, Cassidy Jones, Hetta Peck.