It’s been a long time coming but it’s been well worth the wait as the Colchester Sixth Form College staged its first full blown musical production in almost 20 years.

Urinetown – the Musical was performed over three nights at The Sixth Form College Colchester earlier this month.

The Performing Arts department regularly put on many student performances throughout the year, last year there were 15, but they haven't put on a full scale production since 2001.

That's because of changes in curriculum time which meant that a whole college production was possible this year.

Head of Performing Arts and director of the show Alison Gaukroger says: “The musical has really catchy songs and is an ensemble piece with great characters for lots of students to play.

"It's also very funny, taking a satirical stance on the musical form, as well as exploring some current environmental issues.

"It was seeing some of our former students perform in the Mad Hatter production of the show at the Headgate theatre in 2016, that we realised this would be the perfect production to one day put on at college.”

Around 60 students were involved in the production since the start of the 11-week rehearsal process in September.

The 11-piece band was made up entirely of students, as were the stage management, technical and production teams, guided by staff but run by the students themselves.

The cast committed to rehearsing four evenings per week, plus lunchtimes, for the whole period and performed to a sold out auditorium over three evenings.

Alison adds: “it has been a real delight to work with all the students involved. They have all worked incredibly hard and have really come together and supported each other throughout, making a really successful show possible.

"We were really keen to give students responsibilities within the production team, including Tia Winterbottom who was assistant director and Jamie Halls as assistant musical director."

The show has certainly set a very high bench mark with a clever set, excellent music accompaniment and some stunning performances in particular Alfie Lucas as Cladwell, Joseph Bolton as Officer Lockstock and Alice Roberts-Mee as Pennywise. Let's hope its not just a flash in the pan.