EPMTC In the Chester Chronicle

Hair and beauty students from West Cheshire College helped local actors at the Ellesmere Port Musical Theatre Company take a step back to the 80s. The students helped 40 actors transform their look back to the decade of big hair and bright make-up for the theatre company’s Back to the 80s show.

Liz Yarwood, beauty tutor at West Cheshire College, said: “We have previously worked with the society on Whistle Down the Wind performances. Both shows were a huge success which is why we were invited back. “The students did a lot of research on how they can use hair and make-up to transform the cast into 80s characters. “As a vocational college we encourage our students to gain real life work experience. Working with the society has been very beneficial for them all and they have gained some great skills.”

Sophie Morris, 23, from Ellesmere Port, is studying Level 2 in beauty therapy at the college and helped with the production. She said: “I really enjoyed helping out with the hair and make-up at the show. It helped improve my people skills and I learned a lot from doing it. “Before the show we researched into the best way of turning people into 80s characters and the actors also told us what sort of look they wanted. We worked hard to achieve that and everybody was happy with the way they looked.”

Andy Nickson, from Ellesmere Port Musical Theatre Company, said: “The students were absolutely fantastic and the show would not have been a success without their help. “We had a cast of 40 people who needed to look like typical high school pupils – from geeks, cool guys and girls to cheerleaders. The students did a lot of research into the different images and created fantastic looks for everyone. “Most of our cast work full-time so there was a lot of pressure getting everybody ready in a short space of time, but the students really came into their own and ensured everyone was ready in time. “We would definitely want to work with the students again for future shows.”

Ellesmere Port Musical Theatre will be performing a Christmas concert at Rivacre Valley Primary School on December 13 and 14. Tickets are £5 each and there will be a bar open on both nights. For further information, visit www.ellesmereportmusical theatre.co.uk.

http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/in-your-area/ellesmere-port-musical-theatre-company-6344132