Barrow Sixth Form students prove they have what it takes to bring a play to life

In May 1989 audiences could enjoy The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Amateur Dramatic Society’s production of Macbeth.

In reality, of course, the players performing were from the Etceteras Drama Group of the sixth form college on Rating Lane.

In 1992 the sixth form college chose a play by 20th Century Swiss playwright Durrenmatt for its latest production.

The students had formed a theatre company called Up Stanley’s Street to put on The Visit, a tragi-comedy about a wealthy, elderly woman who sweeps into a small town looking for revenge against the father of her child who died.

The woman was played by Shirley Anne Orrell, the father (Alfred Ill) by Alan Smith, Mrs Ill by Joanna Rice and their son and daughter by David Shaw and Debbie Baines.

Graham Haynes played the butler, Kirsty Palmer was the mayor, Rachel Howson the priest, Zoe Shergold the schoolmaster, Claire Smith the doctor, Jenny Rampling the painter and Beth Nicholls was the policeman.

Ryan Shaw and Aidan Black played gum chewers, Robert Makepeace and Mark Raven played eunuchs, Karen Bridge and Candice Park played reporters and Debbie Baines was the commentator.

The chorus comprised Graham Haynes, David Shaw, Aidan Black and Dominic Aldridge.

The director of the play was Ginny Dean. The musical director was Malcolm Smith and costumes were designed by Carol Holden.

The play opened with a matinee at Alfred Barrow School, followed by performances at the sixth form college.

Other performances by the sixth form college included The Great Celestial Cow in 1988; Love Crisps and Panorama in 1993; and Dracula by Liz Lochhead in 1993.