Last updated at 12:00, Sunday, 20 January 2013

AS young thespians at a theatre group get into the swing of rehearsals for their 2012 productions, DAVID PICKTHALL speaks to them about their passion for treading the boards and delighting audiences

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EVEN on the first night of rehearsals, Maureen Pearson knows she will cry when the curtain goes up on opening night.

They won’t be tears of sadness.

They will be her familiar tears of pride at watching yet another A590 Musical Theatre Group production reach the big stage.

Mrs Pearson co-founded the Barrow-based group in 2001 to make learning the skills of dance, acting and music accessible to all – regardless of family income or background.

More than a decade later, those same skills are being delivered to a host of enthusiastic locals in a junior and senior section.

Producing two shows, to be performed at The Forum, does not come without huge dedication to rehearsals and fundraising.

The group is entirely self-financing and it costs more than £6,000 to put on a show at The Forum.

But when Mrs Pearson watches how the youngsters’ involvement in musical theatre develops their confidence and countless skills transferable to everyday life and adulthood, she knows it’s all worth it.

She said: “That’s the reward, when they’re on the stage and they know their lines.

“All the kids say ‘oh look, Maureen’s crying again’, but I can’t help myself.

“It’s what makes it all worthwhile.”

The Evening Mail joined the group for its first rehearsals after casting for the juniors’ upcoming performance of the musical The Last Daze Of St Swithuns – and the seniors’ performance of the Blood Brothers, the first play the group has ever attempted.

Group director Graham E Barker said Blood Brothers will be the original stage show, “straight from the writer’s pen” with the Liverpudlian accents and “all the grit”.

At the heart of the conversation was charismatic member Chris Wilson, 24, of Hill Road, Barrow, who is in full-time rehabilitation after suffering a brain injury when robbed on holiday in Tenerife in 2010.

Mr Wilson, due to perform in his second show, credits the theatre group with restoring his confidence as he continues his promising recovery.

He said: “Doing this brought meaning back to my life. I came back from Liverpool (where he attended university) and I didn’t know what to do.

“Life seemed pointless without this place.”

Mrs Pearson said of Mr Wilson: “When he first came, he wouldn’t speak to anybody and his words to me were ‘I’ve come, I don’t know if I’m stopping’.

“And now I can’t get rid of him!”

Adam Barker, 19, son of director Graham, has been with the group six years and was among the seniors who embarked on memorable trips to Prague to compete in the Class in Action International Youth Theatre Challenge.

In 2006, they won the gold award, and in 2007 and 2008 they were overall winners.

In Blood Brothers, Mr Barker, manager of Bells Cafe in Dalton Road, Barrow, will play a milkman, postman and other various roles.

He said: “I’m going to like doing all the different characters and they’re all comic roles that I’m playing in this show, so it will be quite amusing.”

Scott McGeuchin, 19, of Risedale Road, has been with the A590 group for around four years and in Blood Brothers will play one of the main protagonists – the well-off Johnstone brother, Eddie.

He said: “I’m enjoying it. It’s the first time I’ve had that many lines. A lead role is going to be a challenge.

“We have to start playing a seven-year-old and we age throughout the play, so it’s about showing the development of the character.”

David Stockton, 21, of Cedar Road, Barrow, will play Mickey Johnstone, the working-class brother, in his third show with the group.

He said: “I absolutely love it, it’s fantastic.

“Everyone’s always excited when the rehearsals start.

“I did the exact same show for a drama performance at Barrow Sixth Form, but it was the other brother.

“So I wanted to play Mickey, just to see the other side of the coin.”

Shaun Whittam, 23, of Barrow, has been with the group around five years.

The Furness College student, who volunteers with Leonard Cheshire Disability group, said: “I love drama, I’ve done it for a while, and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into this one.”

Harriet Drew, 17, of Yarlside Road, Barrow, is a Barrow Sixth Form drama student who is playing Mrs Lyons in her fourth show with the group.

She said: “She’s hilarious to play, even though she isn’t meant to be. She’s meant to be scary, but it’s fun to play.

“Some people love musicals, but I like doing plays, so this is really good for me.”

The junior section, who are set to perform a musical loosely based on St Trinians with 50s and 60s rock ‘n’ roll, are a real bundle of energy, with around 35 children aged seven upwards.

Charlee Corris, eight, of Hindpool, is getting ready for her third show.

She said: “It’s fun and it helps me sing properly. I go to choir on Wednesdays at school, but this helps me with my singing.”

Patrick McCormack, 11, of Barrow Island, will be juggling three roles in his third show with the group.

He said: “It’ll be a bit of a challenge, say if there’s any quick changes to other roles, but I’m looking forward to it.

“It’s a new show and it’s better than the other ones I’ve done so far.”

Amelia Sullivan, 15, of Orontes Avenue, Walney, is a comparative veteran, as she prepares for her ninth show.

She said: “I enjoy the music and the dancing, it’s really good fun.”

First published at 15:22, Monday, 21 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk