STUDENTS from a specially funded Drama Production course run by Bude and Launceston Adult Education (based at the Gregson Centre in Stratton) recently performed their devised sketches at the Gregson Centre and at St Hilarys Residential Home in Bude.

The students, who all attend either Pathfields in Bude or New Witheven at Jacobstow, have been working on their production for the last 20 weeks.

They decided what style of show they liked and which character they wanted to be. They worked out what scenery, props and costumes they needed and made these under the expert supervision of tutor, Tom Hyde, wonderfully assisted by Sally Strong and her daughter Jess Hawken. Finally they suggested the plot, music and dialogue.

The results were two sketches: James the Bude Bond and the Russian Connection performed by Chris Addison, Martin Buckley and Murray Bull, and Captain Wizards Adventure to the Magical Mermaid performed by Ian Sheldon, Laura Parrott, Jennifer Parsons and Gemma Crocker-White.

The group also performed a joint body movement exercise.

Their efforts were resoundingly praised during a recent Ofsted inspection of Cornwall Councils Adult Education Service. The inspector was extremely impressed by their ideas and creativity and also by their inclusive and supportive attitude towards each other.

The audiences also thoroughly enjoyed their performances. Comments ranged from Absolutely wonderful, truly enjoyable and humbling, to I liked it a lot, to A fantastic inspiration to me. Well done, everyone.

It is hoped that the group will be able to continue from September and devise their own pantomime subject to further funding becoming available.