Hollywood hits Bedlington as BBCET students perform classic rock musical

Lovers of musical theatre were in for a treat, when Hollywood came to Bedlington for a BBCET school’s colourful performance of a classic Broadway show.

The talented students at Benet Biscop Catholic Academy staged their own production of Rock of Ages, which tells the story of star-crossed lovers against the backdrop of a bar on Sunset Strip, all set to iconic eighties rock songs from bands such as Bon Jovi, Twisted Sister, Poison, and Europe.

Seventy students from Years 7 to 13 were involved in the musical, with the double casting of key roles enabling more young actors to tread the boards.

Among the key cast members were Kacie Burke in Year 13 as narrator Lonny; Elysha Gunayon and Lily May Smith, both in Year 11, as Sherrie; Aidan Howe in Year 12 and Will Gordon in Year 11 as Drew; Ewan Holder from Year 12 as Dennis; Kane Burne in Year 13 as Stacee Jaxx; and Grace Thornton in Year 13 as Justice Charlier.

Offstage, students took on a variety of other crucial roles, which ranged from building and painting the set, to working as stage hands, managing rehearsals, and helping back-stage and front-of-house during performances.

St Benet Biscop has produced an annual musical since 2003, with Grease, Billy Elliot, and The Addams Family just some of the recent hit shows.

This year’s production, which was enjoyed by some 1,200 audience members across four performances, was directed and choreographed by the school’s Performing Arts Department, including Subject Leader Louise Maughan, Assistant Subject Leader Nick Gibson, Drama Teacher Rachel Leyland, and Music Teacher Rob Dunbar.

“The school show brings our school community together, and students in the cast create a family unit and become friends with students from all year groups,” said Assistant Headteacher Louise Banfield.

“It helps build their confidence and resilience, and provides them with a safe space to be creative. Students that were in the cast up to 20 years ago return each year to watch the show!”