15 December 2005
Theatre students aim for the Fringe
Side by Side theatre group are well on their way to raising the cash and have already coined in £14,000.
The 16-strong group of students with learning disabilities has been holding a variety of fundraising events during the year.
They are hoping to perform their latest production, 'We Are The Dreamers', which is loosely based on Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at the festival in August.
Susan Wallin, who runs the course at Stourbridge College, said, "The students are all really enthusiastic. It is a great honour to perform at the festival; they will get so much out of this trip.
"It is a very enriching experience for them."
The production will be performed at Stourbridge Town Hall from June 14th to June 17th before they take to the stage in Edinburgh.
Susan added: "Everybody has done a wonderful job raising the money and the students very appreciative of the community's contribution."
The group was recently awarded Dudley Arts Council's annual award for outstanding contribution to the arts.
Susan said that the group, which has been running for more than nine years, was delighted with the prestigious award.
Now there are plans in the pipeline to turn the group into a charity in a bid to secure more funding, and there is even talk about the performers touring around Europe.
(From The Express & Star)