STUDENTS at Frome College tried their hand at local radio recently when they interviewed the local MP on BBC Somerset’s breakfast show.
BBC Somerset hosted its Breakfast Show with Ben McGrail at the Merlin Theatre on 30th September, and student hosted a Q&A with David Warburton MP through the 9am to 10am slot.
The show ran alongside a Shakespeare for Schools workshop, which prepared students for an upcoming performance.
The college’s Jane Davis said, “Throughout the morning the show covered the Shakespeare workshops, interviewed the college’s vice principal Su King, as well as special guests who arrived throughout the show.”
Claudia Pepler, art director at the Merlin said, “We are proud to be one of the partner organisations of the Shakespeare’s Schools Festival, an event that we have been programming for over 10 years.
“It is always a highlight of our autumn season. This workshop was led by practitioners from the festival working with schools and their teachers, the actual performance will be on Friday 11 November.”
James Craig from the BBC said, “Thanks to the college for helping to arrange everything, and for letting us be based in the campus theatre. The show sounded really good and it was great to be able to speak to so many different people on air. The college students were a credit to the school with their Q&A session with David Warburton in the ‘hot seat’.”
David Warburton MP said, “It really was fantastic to see the Shakespeare Schools Festival cast workshop with Selwood Academy performing superbly at Frome’s Merlin Theatre.
“I was blown away by the energy and focus of the students and the incredible skill of the workshop leaders, bringing out the very best in everyone’s ability.
“Thanks also to BBC Somerset for coming along and recording the event, even if it also meant an hour in the hot seat for me beforehand with good old Ben McGrail! Seriously, as always, it was terrific to talk to Ben and to answer questions sent in by listeners and also some from students at Frome College. Looking forward to the next one!”
