STUDENT VOICE | Page 19

//A trip to Gaiety Theatre “When I first moved to Ayr last year, I was glad to hear that the local theatre would be reopening, after closing down in 2009. For me, theatre is about bringing a community together, it is a way for that community to leave the stress of daily life, and share in the laughter and magic in front of them. I remember my friends talking about childhood memories of going to see the Gaiety’s Christmas Pantomimes; it would be a time where families would go together, enjoying the spectacle of the performance. For one of my friends it helped her decide on her dream; to become an actor, which in turn, led her to attend college. She successfully gained her HND in Acting and Performance, and will be attending Sunderland University to do her degree this year. I never made it to the first show of Cinderella but when I saw that they were showing ‘Beauty and the Beast’ I knew I had to go. After a bit of convincing I eventually got my friends to come with me, despite the demands of their college course. As part of the course I was doing last year, NQ Film and Broadcasting, we were asked to create blogs, and as theatre is a major passion in my life, I sent an email asking if I could come to look at their costumes and write about my time with them. THE STUDENT VOICE: EDITION 1 The Ayr Amateur Opera Company were more than welcoming, allowing me to sit in on one of their dress rehearsals. As I watched the show, all I kept thinking about was the essence of childhood that we sometimes forget, and I began to get goose bumps as they belted out the classics such as ‘Be Our Guest’. Even when I returned to watch it with my friends the magic of theatre and Disney was alive! The Gaiety will be holding a few shows within the next year with the likes of ‘Pride and Prejudice’, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, ‘Cell a Secret’,’ Sleeping Beauty Ballet’, ‘Aladdin’, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and many more. I would encourage you to go and support your local theatre. Now even though I am asking you to support your local theatre, there are great things to support within the College. There is always something going on, whether it is a drama production, a fashion show or fundraising events to help raise money for charities. You have the opportunity to hold or organise your own events! Coming to college is fun, but it is also hard work, so please do take the opportunity, to unwind, escape and relax from your studies, your college work will be all the better for it.” 19