PERFORMERS dedicated their latest production to a former college student and much-loved member of up-and-coming band Viola Beach who tragically died earlier this year.

Performing Arts students paid tribute to River Reeves during their rendition of Urinetown.

The 19-year-old died alongside fellow band members Kris Leonard, Jack Dakin, Tomas Lowe and band manager Craig Tarry following a car crash in Sweden on February 13.

The news sent shockwaves across Warrington as the town came to terms with the loss of band who were set to take the music industry by storm. 

In his memory, the show enjoyed record-breaking numbers when the audience packed into the main hall to watch Urinetown. 

“Everyone at Priestley was deeply saddened by the loss of River so this felt like a fitting way to pay tribute to him,” said Sarah Graham, head of performing arts at Priestley.

“The quality of the performances was extremely special and really did River proud.”

Former Bridgewater High School pupil River was no stranger to the stage having performed one of the lead roles in Spring Awakening last year.

But this time it was the turn of Nick Gartland and Phoebe Williams who took centre stage backed by Joseph Bellis and Paige Fenlon.

After leaving Priestley College Nick and Phoebe plan to study musical theatre at Guildford School of Acting and Paige at Bird College of Dance, Theatre and Performance.

Priestley’s production arts students created Urinetown which was hailed as an impressive set that added to the audience’s enjoyment of the Tony Award-winning show.

Laughter could be heard coming from the audience as the actors told the story of love, greed, and revolution in a town plagued by a 20-year drought.

In Urinetown the water shortage has made private toilets a thing of the past and leaves the town at the mercy of a single dominating corporation that maintains a monopoly on public amenities.

“For the performers it was great to hear the audience laughing in all the right places and clearly thoroughly enjoying the show,” added Sarah.