TWO Powys students have spoken of their excitement at working with a renowned actor who is to direct an upcoming production that they are starring in.

Malcolm Lord, best known for his role as Bungle on 1970s children’s TV show Rainbow is coming to Shrewsbury College to direct students in ‘The Insect Play’.
Malcolm Lord, a friend of musical director and Shrewsbury College’s Voice and Performing Arts lecturer, Michael Jenkins, has worked with the Performing Arts department a number of times over the past year.
Jodie Breakwell, of Llanfair Caereinion, said she is looking forward to working with the actor.
She said: “I am very excited to be working with a professional director, Malcolm Lord and can’t wait to get into rehearsals.
“I am particularly excited about helping Michael Jenkins, the musical director adapt the play into a musical.”
Kenny Noakes, a former Coleg Powys student, said: “I can’t wait to work on such a fantastic play, it’s over 100 years old but still really relevant.”
Malcolm, who has performed on stage in Aladdin, Dick Whittington and Calendar Girls, was asked if he would work with the HND Performing Arts students to give them an insight into working with industry professionals.
He said: “I am looking forward to working with the students on this project. The Insect Play bears particular significance to me, as I performed in it back in 1977 - 50 years after its original release. So to work on it once again nearly 40 years later is fantastic.
“The play addresses the similarities, and differences between insects and humanity, so although it has aspects of comedy, it also includes darker undertones.”
The students will get a real taste of theatre life as they will not be told what parts they will be playing until two weeks before the first show.
Malcolm added: “Having worked in theatre for 30 odd years, it is normal to only receive the script of a play a couple of weeks prior to the production, so I wanted the students to get a taste of real theatre and the time pressures involved.
Michael said: “I first worked with Malcolm when I was musical director for an OD Project open air production of The Tempest in association with The Royal Shakespeare Company. I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity for our students to work with such a renowned actor, and in my opinion, one of the best pantomime dames in the country.
“This is an original interpretation of the play that I have adapted into a musical. This enables the students to exercise their singing skills as well as their acting techniques.”
There will be two performances of the play on Thursday, April 10 and Friday, April 11 both at 7.30pm.
Tickets cost £7 or £5 for concessions. For tickets or more information call 01743 342699 or email boxoffice@shrewsbury.ac.uk