MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA AT HARPER ADAMS

Posted 28 February 2002

A MUSICAL performance at Harper Adams University College in March will bring together chorus, solo and dance numbers from a range of popular shows in a West End extravaganza.

Well-known West End showpieces from Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story, Les Miserables and Miss Saigon will form part of 'Hear the People Sing' when it is staged by the Harper Adams Musical Society (HAMS) from March 14 to 16.

Harper Adams senior lecturers Dr Robert Wilkinson and Dr Peter Jenkinson will star as Jesus and Judas Iscariot in an abridged version of Jesus Christ Superstar and student soloist Jemma Eaton will sing the hit song 'I don't know how to love him.'

Solo songs from the musical Les Miserables, set in revolutionary France, include the evocative 'Empty chairs and empty tables' performed by first-year Rural Enterprise and Land Management student William Neale.

A spokesperson for HAMS said: "The depth of musical talent hidden within the University has been astounding. The society was set up last year to provide a cultural extra-curricular activity for students and to break down the barriers between staff, students and the local community.

"Providing that Hear the People Sing is a success, we hope to open membership of the society to the Edgmond and Newport area in future."

From the haunting melodies of Martin Guerre, to the street fighting of West Side Story and rousing chorus numbers of Les Miserables, Hear the People Sing will provide an exciting evening of entertainment for all the family.

Performances of Hear the People Sing will take place in the Queen Mother Hall at Harper Adams University College on March 14 - 16 and will start at 7:30pm. Tickets cost £5 per adult and £3.50 concessions and are available from the Music Shop, Newport, Edgmond Village Shop and from the Reception Desk at Harper Adams.

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Notes to Editors: Hear the People Sing is produced by Lynn Hunt and Alistair Craib, both of whom are well known locally for their involvement in successful amateur operatic productions including a full version of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Oakengates Theatre, Telford.