St Helens has talent!
A dance group in St Helens has the X Factor – even travelling to the auditions of Britain’s Got Talent to prove it.
Four Acre Theatre Crew was formed in January 2008 as a result of a community consultation with local people on the Four Acre estate by Helena Partnerships’ Developing Active Neighbourhood (DAN) team.
They approached local residents Lisa Walsh and Jennifer Murtagh who have been doing a great job ever since.
The group are taught weekly by dance instructor Sharon Kirby and cover a wide range of theatrical themes, from street dance and drama to cheerleading and regularly have numbers of up to fourteen girls and boys.
At least, there’s one boy anyway. Nine-year old Steven Hughes is the youngest member of the group and goes every week despite being severely outnumbered by the opposite sex.
Helena have helped to fund tuition for the group, as well as venue hire, refreshments, uniforms and even the mini bus up to the auditions in Manchester.
Community Health Development Worker, Neil Morris praised the success of the project saying: “The Four Acre Community Dance & Drama project has enabled local girls to access professional dance and drama tuition in a fun structured environment. The weekly sessions have helped the group to develop a variety of theatrical skills which has helped to improve their confidence, self esteem and fitness levels.”
re:new Four Acre provided the group’s hoodies through their community chest grant – funded activities which encourage people to get involved in their neighbourhood.
Neighbourhood Co-ordinator Beverley Heaton said, “Lisa and Jennifer have done a great job working with the young people and getting them to a standard of dance where they are now competing and entering talent contests”.
As far as Britain’s Got Talent went, unfortunately the group didn’t get the opportunity to face Mr Cowell et al but they did still had to perform in front of a panel and do a piece to the camera. Be sure to look out for them on TV. And they’ve already vowed to return next year.
“And we’ll get though next time as well”, promises one enthusiastic girl.
Helena Partnerships also run dance and drama sessions in Parr and Thatto Heath with a fourth session planned to start soon in the Town Centre North Area. For more information please call Neil Morris on 01744 677007.
05 May 2009
Click here to go back to press releases>