Dungeons bring actors to life

Carr Hill High School students studying the Site Specific module of the Performing Arts BTEC course were mentored by Blackpool Tower Dungeons’ actors .

The aim was to help the would-be actors to develop their acting roles, which were specifically assigned to them by a Merlin Entertainments performance manager at the top resort attraction.

The dungeons were closed to the public for the evening and only open to the friends and family of the Kirkham school .

The sixth form students performed solo roles in different rooms and had practiced ‘jump scares’ for their audience, which included staff and fellow pupils.

Performing arts teacher at the Royal Avenue school Miss Faye Sheffield said: “The trip was a fantastic opportunity and experience for our students.

They learned how to perform in a professional venue, with some students offered jobs from Merlin Entertainments to work as professional actors as a result. “

She added: “They learned how to work in a site that is different from a usual theatre space and were able to use improvisation skills effectively as they were unaware as to who their audience would be.

Miss Sheffield added: “The theatre was immersive and required strong storytelling skills in order to engage the audience with details of their ‘horrible history’.

The piece also helped all students with communication and local historical knowledge.”

In the past the students have taken their shows into pubs in Blackpool.