STUDENT actors rose to the occasion with a college show which not only impressed the audience but earned top marks from their examiners.

Members of City College Southampton’s performing arts course put on an end-of-year production of Howard Barker’s ‘The Europeans’ and their performances counted towards their final grade - as well receiving a huge ovation the cast scored 100 per cent success rates.

Every single student achieved a merit or distinction after putting the play for an invited audience of staff, family and friends at the college’s 240-seat theatre.

David O’Garr, the college’s director of studies for Creative Arts, Media and Theatre, said: “The students worked incredibly hard and the results really showed, not just on the night, but in their fantastic grades. I have no doubt that they will go on to a very successful second year in September and I look forward to seeing what they come up with next time the curtain rises.”

The play is set during the siege of Vienna by the invading Turks in 1684.

The students worked on production together from start to finish as set designers, lighting technicians and costume designers as well as performers.