BTEC students make their debut

From devon.editorial@archant.co.uk 30 May 2007
(Reproduced with kind permission)

Two former students of North Devon College have formed their own theatre company and are performing in the North Devon Festival.

Sam Thomas and Roxy Bugler both passed their BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts with triple distinction.

They will be making their debut in Educating Rita at Pilton Parish Hall on Saturday, June 23 at 8pm

Educating Rita is a classic, thought provoking comedy set in Liverpool in the 80s.  It depicts a woman's struggle to go against the structure of the society she lives in and to "discover herself" in spite of everything. 

The performers are known to "perform with understanding, depth and an extremely well developed sensitivity," according to a college tutor and the play promises to be inspiring, uplifting and charming.

However, this performance has a more moving motive.  The main purpose is to raise money to run a voluntary two-week summer school for disabled children and adults in a Romanian Orphanage.

Little John's House is a small children's home in the secluded village of Cisniadora.  Roxy has already made two visits there and describes her experiences thus:

"So overwhelming.  It upset me that I should get so much gratitude for so little: an accepting smile, having fun with them, just letting them be kids. But all they need is everything of yourself that you can give.

"That one week of just being allowed to be children, it's the best week of their year.  It hurts to love them with everything you have, knowing you have to let them go at the end, but it's worth it for that week."

This year, Roxy has agreed to organise the trip, taking a team of 14 like-minded young people from North Devon.  Each member of the team is required to fund themselves.  Each of them, while mainly students, will have to raise the money for air fares, living costs, food and equipment.

In addition to this a further £800 is required to purchase sports and games equipment, craft materials and gifts for the children.

All the money raised from this performance will go directly towards the cost of this equipment.