SALFORD CITY COLLEGE PRESENTS ELF THE MUSICAL

The infamous Pendleton Season of Shows commenced with the must-watch holiday musical, Elf!

The adaptation is based on everyone’s favourite Christmas film starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, a young orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole.

1st year Musical Theatre student, Zac Frieze perfectly depicts Buddy’s character and was chosen for the leading role from over 40 students who auditioned for the part. Zac who is also a member of Stage 80 and MMY (Manchester Musical Youth), said “It’s been an amazing experience. Pendleton Performing Arts is so professional; the rehearsals, the direction and the choreography and I feel like I’ve developed so much as an actor”.

(Zac Frieze and Laura Findley, who play Buddy and Jovie)

Jovie’s character is played by Laura Findley who is a former student of Westhoughton High School and also attends CATS Theatre School. She said, “We’ve had so much fun rehearsing and performing the show, everybody works together and we’re all like a big family.”

The rest of the cast is made up of talent from Greater Manchester and way beyond, with some students travelling over three hours per day for professional musical theatre and acting training from industry professionals at Salford City College. In order to perfect the production, the actors, singers and dancers have rehearsed three times a week. Harriet Dean, a 2nd year Musical Theatre student said, “We have rehearsed around eight hours a week for the past 6 weeks and it’s been brilliant, everyone wants to be here and is so passionate about it and we have amazing choreographers and musical directors”.

During pre-show drinks, former student, Kendal Boardman was raffling luxury Christmas Hampers and Trafford Centre vouchers in order to raise money for her tuition fees having secured a place at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles, California.

CEO & Principal of Salford City College, John Spindler said, “Many of our students progress to prestigious drama schools and Kendal is a perfect example of how high our students should be reaching. As always, Pendleton Performing Arts has put on an outstanding show which was professional, charming and funny and showcased the talent of our students.”