Kirkby drama students meet real-life West End star

The Drama department at Ashfield School welcomed Rob Houchen, star of Les Miserables, to the Sutton Road school to spend the day with students, using his extensive experience and industry knowledge to coach students with their audition pieces.

The 31-year-old has starred in a number of professional performances after completing his studies at the Guildford School of Acting in musical theatre, and gave students useful advice, worked practically with them on solo performances, and even performed with them in a large group number.

The students can now claim that they have shared a stage with a professional West End performer who left them with invaluable advice and tips should they aspire to follow in his footsteps.

A spokesperson for the school said: “What better way to inspire our BTEC Performing Arts students than to bring into school a West End star to work with them?

"So that’s exactly what the Drama Department at Ashfield did this week, enter Rob Houchen stage left.

“As always, the BTEC students represented both the department and the school brilliantly.” with

Rob Houchen commended the students, for their commitment to their craft.

He said: “It really does mean a lot to see such talent and passion for the craft in your students, it gives me hope for all the future performers coming into the industry.

"They were such lovely people and I had a great time working with them.”

Bryan Sluman, head of drama, said: “We were thrilled when a professionally-trained musical theatre performer offered his time and expertise to our students.

"It was great to listen to how enthusiastically he spoke about his training and the insight into the industry that he provided them with.

"He conducted a two-hour workshop teaching students vocal and acting techniques which will not only help them with their work in school, but will also help prepare them for future auditions and casting opportunities.

"The highlight of his visit involved him performing alongside them in a group piece, where his vocal talent and outstanding characterisation just shone, inspiring a generation of students to continue their pursuit of a career within the performance industry.”

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