West End star Lucy May Barker visits Ipswich school

Students at St Joseph’s College were treated to two days of workshops, choreography, and learning from stage and screen actress Lucy May Barker.

The actress played Annie on stage when she was only nine, spent five years in Mamma Mia in the West End and most recently played Rebecca Vardy in Wagatha Christie, which toured the UK.

This week, she worked with pupils at St Joseph's College on Tuesday, August 29 and Wednesday, August 30, helping them in preparation for their production of Legally Blonde as a musical.

They also performed live on BBC Radio Suffolk on Wednesday, after just a few hours of rehearsal. The star performed as Elle, the leading role in the comedy.

Students were treated to workshops led by the star (Image: St Joseph’s College)

Georgie Ross, director of performing arts at St Joseph’s College, said: "It was really exciting. It was wonderful that we could have a professional here with the students to prepare for the musical.

"We all said as a team that it was a great way to launch our production. Lucy May Baker will continue to work with us, popping in sometimes, and she will be there for the show week, as a result of our unique partnership with Arts International."

Arts International creates partnerships with schools for creating excellence in performing arts. It uses cast members from musicals to support and challenge students in their own school productions.

Arts International has recently recognised St Joseph’s College as a Performing Arts Centre of Excellence.

Danielle Clarke, principal at St Joseph’s College, added: "The performing arts bring our whole school community together and we are very proud to be one of only four schools in Europe to become an Arts International Centre of Excellence."