In the first week in December, Loreto College’s new Ellis and Kennedy Theatre hosted Cabaret, its inaugural production – the first large-scale, cross-college theatre performances in many years. The show was a sell-out over three nights, bringing together an audience of students, parents, friends and staff, who were treated to a fantastically accomplished production that highlighted the talent and enthusiasm of its cast and crew.

The actors were a triumph. Both Lucy Burke and Charlotte Gleeson (who played Sally Bowles on different nights) threw themselves into their role, perfectly capturing the complexities of Sally’s character – wilful, damaged, charming – with both their acting skills and powerful interpretations of the songs ‘Maybe This Time’ and ‘Cabaret’. Ethan Wade was an endearing and sympathetic Cliff, maintaining an authentic American accent throughout, and responding skilfully and truthfully to Sally’s ever-changing personality, as well as to the increasingly brutal political atmosphere in Berlin.

As Herr Schultz and Fraulein Schneider, Kunmi Ogunsola and Saffia Omar produced outstanding performances which tugged at the audience’s heartstrings and made them feel their affection and loss through the sensitivity of their acting and singing. Hannah Butterworth made a hilarious Fraulein Kost, capturing the attention of the audience with her vampish energy and brilliant comic timing. Similarly, Seb Porter’s Ernst superbly conveyed the contrast between the winningly comedic quality of his early scenes, and the horrible truth of his Nazi-supporting bigotry as the play progressed.

The Kit Kat Girls and Boys (more than 20 young actors and actresses) were wonderful. The standard of their singing and dancing suggested a maturity of talent far beyond their years, and they were responsive, energetic and focused throughout. Jake Cawley’s Emcee was at the heart of the Kit Kat Klub, and of the whole show – by turns sinister and sensuous, his expressive portrayal emphasised the excellence of the choreography, and was a true highlight of the production.

The stage band – formed from a collaboration between Loreto and the Royal Northern College of Music – was wonderful, and helped to lift the show to its semi-professional standard. The sound and lighting used the brand-new facilities of the Ellis and Kennedy Theatre to their fullest, and the support of a keen student-led stage management crew kept the pace of the show flowing.

The set was simple yet effective, and the costumes and accessories (a further collaboration between the Art & Design and Performing Arts departments) created the atmosphere of 1930s decadence perfectly.

The direction, choreography, acting and singing all combined to create a production which brilliantly demonstrated the ambition, talent and passion of Loreto College’s Performing Arts staff and students.