Our UCW Musical Theatre graduates have recently taken to the stage in Sugarbye, a brand-new musical performed at the Tobacco Factory in Bristol, the show brought together emerging and professional performers for a dynamic, fast-paced production exploring love, deception, and revenge.
Among the cast were UCW alumni Poppy, Joe, and Kimberley, who each credit their time at UCW for preparing them to take on the challenge of developing new musical theatre work.
For Poppy, being part of Sugarbye was a special experience that reunited her with familiar faces and introduced her to new collaborators. “My favourite thing about being part of Sugarbye was having many different worlds collide – in the best possible way,” she said. “I had the opportunity to perform alongside some of my classmates from UCW. I also had the pleasure of meeting new, like-minded performers, all at different stages of their careers and with a range of amazing talents.”
Poppy played Julia, a young woman who exposes her fiancé’s betrayals in a live TV show. “Julia is methodical and planned and it was so fun to step into her business casual shoes,” she explained.
Reflecting on how UCW helped her prepare for the production, Poppy said: “During my second year at UCW we actually had an assessment that was dedicated to our approach to a workshop performance. It helped me understand what goes into creating a show from scratch and helped me refine the skills that are unique to a production of this nature.”
“We had only six days of rehearsals before we went to perform, and the show was roughly 90 minutes from start to finish,” she added. “It has proven to me that I am quick at picking up material and I am now confident that I could do this again for future projects if it was required.”
Joe played John, a character whose charm hides a more deceitful side. “What I’ve enjoyed most is exploring the comedic and horrible attributes to John, and bringing that realistic male masculinity to life on stage,” he said.
He credited his training at UCW for building the foundation for his performance. “My time at UCW really gave me the skills and confidence to take on a role like this,” Joe shared. “The training pushed me to explore characters in depth, which helped me find the layers in John and make him more than just a villain on the surface.”
“Being part of this production has given me the confidence to push myself further to dig deeper into my craft and truly explore what drives a character,” he added.
Kimberley, who played Hannah, the Sugarbye Floor Manager, said the production was both rewarding and empowering. “My favourite thing about being a part of Sugarbye was not only getting to perform with a few members of my graduating class from UCW again, but also meeting new people in the industry. The cast and crew truly made the whole experience amazing.”
She explained how UCW helped shape her versatility as a performer. “Before starting the course, I was always told, and made to believe, that I could only sing legit, classic musical theatre. UCW opened a whole world for me. I wasn’t just good at one style, I was pushed to the point where I felt able to play the pop/rock ‘bad girl,’ Clarisse, in my final year musical (The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical). It was such an empowering moment in my training at UCW.”
Kimberley was also involved in recording a Sugarbye EP and performing at MT Sessions: A Celebration of New Musical Theatre Writing at The Union Theatre in London. “Working in such a talented, challenging, and competitive industry requires a huge amount of resilience and faith to keep going. This production gave me the opportunity to work professionally, but also in a familiar and uniquely supportive environment,” she said.
The three performers spoke fondly of their time at UCW, with experiences ranging from building lifelong friendships to performing internationally. “The people I met gave me the confidence and support I needed to grow, and I truly wouldn’t be in this position without them,” Joe said.
“My favourite memory of UCW has to be the study abroad I took part in” added Poppy. “It was surreal and I will be forever grateful for that experience.”
“If I had to choose just one favourite memory, it would be performing with my class and the Commercial Dance students in Sweden,” Kimberley said. “Going there to perform with my graduating class was the perfect way to round off my university experience at UCW.”
These trips form part of the Performing and Production Arts Careers Excellence Hub. At University Centre Weston our approach goes beyond the traditional classroom setting. Through industry speakers, workshops, employer projects, and more, we equip our learners with the real-world experiences and insights that set them apart in the competitive job market. It’s not just about getting a job; it’s about standing out from the crowd when they embark on their job searches.
