Final curtain falls on youth theatre group
A well known local theatre group are being forced to take their final bow next month.
Greenhill Youth Theatre are having to close their doors due to a lack of volunteers and a drop in the number of students.
The group had been running since 2000 and were aimed at pupils from primary six through to second year.
They typically perform two shows a year, one for summer and one for winter, and meet at St Columbkille’s Church halls every Wednesday.
But their next show ‘Lord of the Onion Rings’ will be their last.
Stage director Calum Millican said: “It’s very disappointing.
“We don’t have enough leaders to help out and the number of kids coming along has dropped too.
“Usually we get a boost from some of the schools, who spread the word that we’re on, but we’ve not had much luck in getting help from them this year.
“There didn’t seem as much interest this year.
“If there was a sudden surge in interest from kids and volunteers then we could carry on but at this stage that’s unlikely.”
The group will hold an EGM on Wednesday, May 31, when they will seek permission from members to tell the Scottish charity regulator that they will be dissolving the charity.
Calum first became involved with the group when they started and he has been there for most years of their existence.
He believes many of the children who have attended over the years benefited from the experience.
“Seeing the kids gain in confidence has been the biggest highlight,” he said.
“Often they are hesitant, maybe shy, when they start and they can really grow performing here.
“We’ve had a lot of kids through the doors and some of them kept in contact afterwards so we were lucky enough to hear what they were up to. Something like this keeps kids busy and off the streets and you run it so you can all gain from something there.
“Our thanks go out to everyone who’s helped us over the years.”
‘Lord of the Onion Rings’ is set in the present day but is inspired by heroic adventures like ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Star Wars’ where the heroes have to go out into the world and fight evil. It will take place at St Columbkille’s Church Hall on June 16 and 17.
Anyone who wants to help Calum can contact him through www.facebook.com/greenhillyt or visit www.gyt.org.uk for more information.