STUDENTS of a college in Cirencester have garnered critical acclaim for a play performed at this summer’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Cirencester Sixth Form College’s Sundial Theatre Company (SDTC) gained four-star reviews for their production of ‘After the Flood’ – a play written especially for them by Duncan Walthew, performing arts lecturer and producer in residence at the college.

The story centres around eight young survivors of a cataclysmic worldwide disaster, trapped at the top of a flooded tower block in a submerged city.

The play gripped audiences at the festival in its 10-day run, boasting thumbs up from leading UK arts publication Broadway Baby, among others.

Steve Moyse, SDTC chair, said: “From the organisation of accommodation through to rehearsals and performances was very long and intense but worth every second.

“The experience gave me the opportunity to work with exceptionally talented actors, directors and techies on a phenomenally written script at the biggest arts festival in the world.”

Steve is leaving his post to join the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts with a DADA scholarship to study Acting this autumn.

He said: “Moving onto drama school has only been possible thanks to the support and training given through three years with SDTC and Performing Arts at the college.”

SDTC was established three years ago, not only to give young performers in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire the chance to be stretched in challenging roles and interesting theatre, but also to have the experience of running a business in a competitive environment.

‘After the Flood’ comes to the Sundial Theatre on Friday, September 9 at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £7 but free to students.

Visit sundial-theatre.co.uk for more information.