This year we had four fantastic Hurst in REP performances. This year’s shows were Vote directed by Phoebe P, All Petals Fall by Aoife H, Truth by Evie M and The Drop by Fin S. The students are given freedom to write and direct and arrange everything necessary for their productions. This year’s productions saw Hurst in REP return to what it was pre-COVID.
Vote is a powerful and evocative musical set in 1908 Britain, exploring the struggles of women fighting for their right to vote. The story is told through the eyes of three middle-class women during their discovery of the Suffragette’s and the prosperous future that they provide. Phoebe decided to write a musical in January 2021 despite having no prior experience in music theory, songwriting, or scriptwriting. Driven by a passion for musical theatre, this project became Phoebes constant source of comfort and escape into the imaginary world. Phoebe now has big plans with the aim of taking the show to Edinburgh Fringe next August.
All Petals Fall follows Rosie, a young woman struggling with schizophrenia, as she repeatedly cycles in and out of psychiatric wards. It explores not only her personal experience but also the perspective of her parents, highlighting the emotional toll of dealing with her condition. Aoife was inspired by a fascination with psychology and frustration over the misrepresentation of mental health in society and media. Aoife said writing and directing the play was a challenging yet rewarding process, made more enjoyable by a talented cast, resulting in a final production beyond expectations.
Truth centres around four friends working in a Spanish market who become entangled in love, lies, and scandals during the tragic bombings of Guernica. The story reveals that the “IT” couple of Guernica are not what they appear to be, with a focus on the consequences of secrets and deceit. Evie hoped to inspire curiosity and deeper understanding of this event and educate the audience about this historical tragedy, as many are unaware of the Guernica bombings or its true significance.
The Drop was a poignant and heartfelt play that brought to life the remarkable story of Fin’s great-grandad and his wife during World War II, centred around the harrowing Battle of Arnhem. Marking the 80th anniversary of this historic event, the production beautifully transformed personal history into a vivid and emotional biography, offering a rare glimpse into the bravery and resilience of those who lived through it. The cast delivered outstanding performances, capturing the depth and humanity of the characters with incredible authenticity. The audience was deeply moved, and the production was a success.
