A WOOSEHILL performing arts and dance school returned to the stage at the weekend, to fundraise for its place at Edinburgh Fringe next year.
Students from Platform YP were back for their first performances in front of a live audience at The Whitty Theatre on Saturday.
School founder, Tracey Eley, said it was the first time a group of 20 had performed since January last year.
She said it was a manic but brilliant weekend for all involved.
“They were so proud of themselves,” she said. “They were absolutely buzzing after they came off the stage. It was like magic watching the change in them after the show — even the parents were getting emotional.”
With many of her young performers pursuing a career in the arts, Ms Eley said the last 16 months have been tough without a stage to perform on.
“We usually do 15 shows a year, so to go this long without a performance was massive for them,” she explained.
READ MORE: School and the gang: arts group leader put forward for award
The next day, the staff team at Platform YP took to the stage to fundraise for their place at the Edinburgh fringe Festival next summer.
They need to raise £6,500 to get the team to Scotland next summer, for seven days performing Madagascar JR, based on the DreamWorks film series.
“We did a bit of a cabaret show,” Ms Eley said. “Lots of the students came to watch us too.”
The event was supported by The Whitty Theatre which supplied the venue for free, to help boost the fundraising totals.
“We wouldn’t have been able to pull it off without that,” Ms Eley said. “Especially with the theatre 50% full, the audience all spaced out with masks on. It was so lovely of them to support the community.”
The staff team raised £700 on the night, which added to their previous fundraising events, made a total of £2,040 — just over a third of the target.
Ms Eley is optimistic Platform YP is on track for Edinburgh Fringe 2022, and is looking forward to a “magical” week of performing arts.