ESOL learners at Lambeth College took to the stage on Wednesday 6th May 2026 for The Fresh Blood Hotel, an original student theatre production performed at the college’s Clapham Centre.
The show was devised and performed by ESOL students, with a special guest performance from the Inclusive Learning Drummers, creating an afternoon that mixed music, teamwork, comedy, performance skills and just a little theatrical vampire peril.
The production opened with a lively musical drumming ensemble from the IL Drummers. Led by conductor Sarah Faith, the group brought energy, confidence and rhythm to the theatre, setting the scene for a performance that celebrated students’ creativity across different areas of the college.
The second half of the event introduced the audience to The Fresh Blood Hotel, a home-written drama with a darkly comic twist. The story followed newcomers arriving in a strange country, only to find themselves drawn into a very unusual hotel and diner, where the welcome was warm, the atmosphere was suspicious, and the guests were very much on the menu.
Although the plot had a suitably spooky ending, the performance itself was full of humour, charm and enthusiasm. Students used the production to practise English, build confidence, work together and develop their performance skills in front of a live audience. For ESOL learners, drama can be a powerful way to improve language skills, as it encourages students to speak clearly, listen carefully, respond to others and use English in a lively, creative setting.
The cast included Serhii, Najma, Adyery, Ikran, Klaudi, Amino, Muno, Sanounou, Abdurreshid, Alex, Altahir, Alhassane and Alhussein, with other students supporting backstage, lighting, sound, front of house and production assistance. The IL Drummers included Sarah Faith, Busra, Jason, Taraq, Natasa, Carolina, Diego and Deirdrian.
The event also showed how much work goes into a student production beyond the actors on stage. Learners helped with posters, lighting, sound, backstage support and front of house duties, giving them experience of the many different roles needed to make a performance happen.
Special thanks were given to Carmen and Abema for supporting the learners throughout the production process and helping bring the show to life.
The afternoon was a wonderful example of how Lambeth College students can use creativity to build confidence, practise new skills and share their talents with the wider college community. From drums to diners, and from hotel check-ins to vampire check-outs, The Fresh Blood Hotel proved that learning English can have real bite.
