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Harrogate school hosts open air rock musical

Wednesday, 9 July 2025 11:33

Ashville College pupils performing 'Beth – a modern take on Shakespeare's Macbeth.'

Harrogate pupils have swapped performing in their school's Soothill theatre for the open air in their latest original rock musical with a difference.

Ashville broke new ground with its outdoor, technological performance of ‘Beth – a modern take on Shakespeare’s Macbeth, written, composed and directed by Karl Boyd, Director of Performing Arts.

Members of the audience enjoyed a unique experience, each wearing broadcast headsets to hear the performances, which were pre-recorded in the studio, as pupils wowed them with their visual performances live in the grounds of the school.

He said:

“Theatre is a great way of unlocking creativity and ‘Beth was a very interesting and unique concept that aimed to do just that.

“All the performers excelled in bringing to life an experimental and technologically ambitious production that brought new and different drama skills to the fore.

“’Beth is Shakespeare performed like never before and the audience was treated to a night of epic riffs, raw emotion, and an anti-heroine who refuses to fade quietly into the dark.

“Fuelled by a thunderous original rock score, ‘Beth transforms the Bard’s darkest tragedy into a searing, modern musical spectacle.”

He added:

“The school’s purpose-designed auditorium has played host to thousands of productions and performances, but this was the first time we have taken drama into the open air in this creative way on such a scale.

“Ashville’s 70-acre school campus lends itself well to outdoor theatre and we will be looking to repeat the success of ‘Beth in the future especially as so many pupils are excited to be involved.”

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