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A Trinity Laban student and two recent graduates were among performers entertaining seaside crowds on ‘the most beautiful pier in England’ last week during a North Somerset town’s classical music and dance day.

Saxophonist Mark Hurrell, who is currently in his third year studying at Trinity Laban, performed alongside poet Bob Walton, who presented work from his poetry collection Sax Burglar Blues.

Trinity Laban graduates Paola Drera, who was a member of Transitions Dance Company in 2017-18, and Marcus Alessandrini (Transitions 2016-2017) also performed to Mark Hurrell’s music as part of Clevedon Pier’s Classical Day programme – showcasing collaborative work between Trinity Laban’s musicians and dancers. They performed an improvised trio, interacting with members of the public.

Dancer, actor, model and choreographer Marcus is a graduate of the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts and completed his MA Dance Performance at Trinity Laban while undergoing an international tour in 2017 with Transitions. Italian-born Paola graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Contemporary Dance from Trinity Laban in 2017. She then studied for her MA Dance Performance with Transitions, touring the UK and Europe this year. 

Described by Sir John Betjeman as ‘the most beautiful pier in England’, the Victorian Clevedon Pier hosts events, weddings and other entertainment throughout the year. Clevedon Pier’s Classical Day was organised by Bristol-based arts organisation Theatre Orchard, and headlined by classical crossover singer Teresa de Roberto. It took place on Sunday 9 September to coincide with the Last Night of the Proms.

(Image credit: All photographs by Marie-Dominique at Just Us Photography, courtesy of Theatre Orchard)