Access student produces a play for Tsunami Appeal

Date published: 16 May 2011

A talented Bury College student, Stephen McMahon has written and produced a play that raised £244.22 for the British Red Cross in aid of the Japanese Tsunami Appeal.

Stephen, from Prestwich, is a student currently studying on a Level 3 Access to Higher Education course at Bury College. His play, Silver Moon Cider, took place on 11th May in the College’s Peel Theatre and starred students from the Drama Enrichment programme at Bury College. Tickets were free, with donations collected on the evening towards the Appeal.

30 year old Stephen, from Prestwich was previously a bartender before deciding to get back into education. Stephen has always had a passion for writing and embarked on the Access course with the aim of turning his interest into a career. Stephen said, “I’m seriously enjoying the Access course. Bury College has inspired me to progress to university and further my career. Without the support of the College I wouldn’t have dreamed of being able to have one of my scripts produced for charity.”

Stephen has gained a place a Salford University, where he will begin his degree in English with Creative Writing BA(Hons) in September 2011.

The play received great reviews on the evening and was also a good opportunity for the Bury College students involved to perform on stage. Jack Round, a former Radcliffe Riverside student took part in the play and is studying BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts at Bury College. Jack said, “It’s been really fun. The script is very funny and it has given me experience which has helped with my course. It’s worth all the hard work for every second on stage.”