Little Downham Youth Club’s young actors raise over £500 with debut pantomime

Members of Little Downham Youth Club helped to raise over £500 for future projects by staging their first pantomime. Picture: Little Downham Youth Club. (Image: Archant)

The youth club cast, aged between eight and 14, performed ‘Cinderella and Rockerfella’ on January 28 to an audience of 120 people in Little Downham Village Hall.

The group, which was established in 2006, decided to set up the ‘Youth Acts Up’ drama and musical theatre workshop group last year.

Carol Hebbard, assistant to director Becky Green, and youth worker for Little Downham Youth Club, said: “Most of the cast, children from Little Downham and Littleport schools, had never acted or performed in front of an audience before.

“Many were very shy and nervous but they worked extremely hard.

“We are immensely proud to see how their confidence has grown in such a short space of time.

“They absolutely brought the house down with their fantastic performances on the night.”

She added: “Money raised from ticket sales will help the group to offer more opportunities to local youngsters as it embarks upon the next production later this year.

“Volunteers from the community helped children develop their confidence and skills, broadening their knowledge of the different career options available in the world of theatre, both on and off the stage.

“The project proved to be a community effort, with parents and volunteers helping the youth group with props, scenery, make-up, lighting and sound.”

Ely Town Crier, Avril Hayter-Smith, stepped into the role of town crier in the pantomime. Local amateur dramatic groups including Littleport Players and Campaign Amateur Theatre in Ely offered coaching and costumes.

Funding was provided by East Cambridgeshire District Council, Littleport Rotary Club and Cambridgeshire County Council’s Community Reach Fund.

For more information on Little Downham Youth Group visit the Facebook page.