Performing and Production Arts students stage a powerful performance

“Stories Untold” - A Bold Reimagining of Lorca’s Blood Wedding: Directed by Sarah Doney

Year One Level 3 UAL National Diploma students in Performing and Production Arts at South Essex Colleges Group recently took to the stage with Stories Untold—a powerful and original adaptation of Federico García Lorca’s Blood Wedding.

This ambitious and emotionally charged production was directed by course leader Sarah Doney and brought together a dynamic company of 40 emerging artists. Not only did these students perform on stage, but they also devised, produced, and presented the entire piece from the ground up—showcasing a comprehensive, real-world approach to theatre-making.

As part of their final collaborative performance project, students were given full creative freedom to explore, experiment and push their boundaries. They embraced a wide range of roles—from acting, choreography and scriptwriting to directing, stage management, costume and set design, make-up artistry, and even social media marketing.

Stories Untold was more than a performance—it was a bold theatrical experiment in storytelling. Using Blood Wedding as a thematic foundation, the ensemble worked together to uncover hidden narratives and develop two original interpretations of Lorca’s iconic tale. Each cast was empowered to devise and present their own unique version, breathing fresh life into themes of love, fate, and tradition.

Audiences were transported to a rural Spanish village alive with cultural vibrancy—complete with flamenco dancing, traditional Spanish music, and a haunting retelling of the tragic love triangle between the bride, the bridegroom, and Leonardo.

Supported by production students from Thurrock College,  the show was as visually stunning as it was emotionally powerful. 

Stories Untold stood as a shining example of the innovation and excellence nurtured within the South Essex Colleges Group’s Performing and Production Arts programme.

Interested in developing your own voice in theatre?
Find out more about our Performing Arts courses here: www.southessex.ac.uk/performing-arts