The Show Will Go On Thanks to NK Academy
North Kesteven Academy has saved the day for The Starring Lincoln Theatre Company by providing a rehearsal venue for the group during the week before it performs Oliver! at Lincoln Cathedral.
Jo Tunnicliffe, Headteacher at North Kesteven Academy, responded to an urgent callout from the Lincoln-based community theatre group, issued after they unexpectedly found themselves without a rehearsal space for the final week before its tech and dress run-throughs at the cathedral.
The group – made up of more than 100 people of all ages from in and around Lincoln – has been rehearsing for Oliver! at Lincoln Carlton Academy since October but the school is now undergoing building work during the school holidays.
Director Ben Poole said: “We’re really grateful to everyone at Lincoln Carlton Academy for letting us take over their school on several evenings throughout the last ten months – without them, we wouldn’t have a show.
“Unfortunately, through no fault of the school, scheduled building work was unexpectedly brought forward – thus rendering us homeless at the last minute.
“With just a week to go until we were due to move into the cathedral, panic set in among the group and we got to work finding an alternative venue.
“Very quickly Jo from NK Academy got in touch and said they might be able to help and within just a few hours it was all sorted! They’re our local superheroes really and, as a way of saying thank you for letting us use the school for the last week, we’ve donated some free show tickets and are featuring the academy in our programme.”
Jo said: “We’re pleased to have been able to step in and grant The Starring Lincoln Theatre Company a new rehearsal venue for Oliver! over the past week.
“As soon as we heard about the appeal, we got in touch with the company to offer up our school hall for the group to practice in. The entire cast have dedicated so many hours to rehearsals and we’re happy to have played a small part in the process. We can’t wait for the show now!”
Oliver! runs from Monday 5th until Friday 16th August and there are still a handful of tickets available to buy via lincolncathedral.com.
It is the third show that The Starring Lincoln Theatre Company will perform in the nave of Lincoln Cathedral, following Jesus Christ Superstar in 2015 and 2016 and Jekyll and Hyde in 2017.
To find out more about North Kesteven Academy, visit: nkacademy.co.uk.
Notes for editors:
- North Kesteven Academy was founded as North Kesteven Grammar School in 1961 and became a comprehensive school in 1970, by which time it had around 1,200 pupils.
- It became a grant maintained school in April 1992 and a foundation school in September 1999. A sixth form complex opened in 1999.
- The academy was formerly a specialist arts college in performing arts. As part of the commitment to the arts, the school’s arts complex was opened in September 2002, which includes the 200-seat Terry O’Toole Theatre. The academy also has daily use of the OneNK sports centre that boasts two swimming pools and state-of-the-art fitness and dance studios.
- The school was awarded academy status in 2011.
- For more information visit www.nkacademy.co.uk
