Ref: tn_12205
Date: 19th December 2005

Acting Up at Higher Folds
Wigan Pier Theatre Company has been given the green light to continue their excellent work in the community following the award of a £34,000 grant from the Coalfield Regeneration Trust.

As part of Coalfield’s “Communities that Work” scheme, Wigan Pier Theatre Company has been awarded the grant to continue drama workshops and theatre performances over the next three years on the Higher Folds estate in Leigh.

In 2004, Coalfield gave the theatre company a Best Practice Grant of £4,000 to test pilot a youth theatre for young people aged 12 to 15 years old in the Higher Folds Community Centre. This resulted in the performance of ‘A Higher View’, a play based on the Higher Folds estate and the people that live there, as part of the Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust organised ‘Words ’05’ literary festival. The youth theatre has since performed at conferences such as the Tenants Association Conference and The Arts Factor event at St Joseph’s Hall in Leigh.

“It is wonderful news that we will now be able to carry on with the theatrical activity on the Higher Folds estate. Another youth theatre has been set up and after Christmas they will go into rehearsals for a major piece of theatre to be written by local professional playwright, Julie McKiernan,” says Martin Green, Development Officer for Wigan Pier Theatre Company. “This project will provide a fantastic opportunity for the community to work together creatively and all age groups are welcome to the drama sessions. A further performance will be created for 2008 so the next three years promises to be a busy and creative time and we urge people of all ages to get involved.”

Drama classes are scheduled to take place every week during school term times. Higher Folds Community Theatre will continue to meet every Thursday in the New Year at Higher Folds Community Centre. Beginning on January 12th, (6.30 – 9.30pm), the workshops will be open to all people interested in joining this community project who are aged 8 and over.

For further information, contact Martin Green or Stewart Aitken on 01942 709305 or at mpj.green@wlct.org

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Photographers are invited to capture the first drama class for this project on Thursday 12th January at the Higher Folds Community Centre, Leigh. Contact Chris Dunbar on 01942 486937 or Martin Green on 01942 709305.

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NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this News Release please contact Chris Dunbar, Public Relations Officer, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust on 01942 486937 or at c.dunbar@wlct.org.

Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and support Leisure and Cultural facilities, initiatives and events for 300,000 residents across the Wigan Borough.

Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is WLCT’s vision to ensure that people across the Wigan Borough have the opportunity to become more physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase community activity and to encourage good citizenship.

Wigan Pier Theatre Company: Wigan Pier Theatre Company is the resident professional Theatre Company for the Wigan Borough. The company creates and delivers high quality theatre events and participative activity to engage local people and visitors with the borough’s culture and heritage.

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Image: Drama class students
A Class Act: Youth Theatre Members

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