MUSICAL theatre students at York College will present their final-year production, The Witches Of Eastwick, in the college’s Alan Ayckbourn Theatre from tomorrow until Friday.

Performed by two separate casts, John Dempsey and Dana P Rowe's musical tells the story of three frustrated and bored "Witches" in the village of Eastwick, who share a desire for a charismatic, devilish stranger, Darryl Van Horne.

Musical theatre tutor Kate Bridges, the show's director, says: “This production showcases an ensemble cast who bring to life the story of a small, quiet town in Rhode Island, dealing with the arrival of a stranger who shakes up the natural order.

"What I like about this show, besides the great songs, is the complexity of the female characters at the centre of the story. You rarely get this number of well-written female characters in one musical. While it’s very entertaining and a real American comedy musical, the main theme of the story is really about self-empowerment.”

The part of one of the witches, Sukie, is shared by Lizzie Nunn, formerly of Tadcaster Grammar School, and Pippa Mundey, formerly of the Graham School, Scarborough. Lizzie believes the double casting has helped in the rehearsal process.

"It’s been useful to learn the part with someone else, going through different scenes and songs, and yet we have still been able to make the part our own," she says. "We love the musical and we are excited to perform it with the rest of our course mates to mark the end of our course.”

Coincidentally, both students are also looking forward to progressing to Cambridge Performing Arts Body Works to study musical theatre on completion of their York College course.

Meg Forgan, formerly of Millthorpe School, takes the role of witch Jane Smart, whose other passion beyond devilish Darryl is playing the cello. On leaving York College, Meg will study musical theatre at the Royal Scottish Conservatoire.

“Studying musical theatre, and being encouraged by my tutors to perform in productions outside of college, helped me in my auditions. My tutors have been very supportive and I am looking forward to our final-year show, acting, singing, playing cello and dancing with my friends.”

Tickets for the 1pm and 7pm performances are available from York College’s finance office. Please note, the show carries the parental guideline that it is appropriate only for adult audiences because it includes sexual content, strong and sometimes crude sexual references, some violence and references to and use of alcohol.