As a charity, we are always in need of extra support for the work of the centre and the development of the skills of our members.
The centre and its members are truly grateful for every contribution, however small.
Members of Great Yarmouth’s Centre 81 hijacked an idea from staff and decided to produce and present their own Christmas show: The Nativity, What a Carry On!
And there was an added bonus when the self-styled Centre 81 Players were offered the chance to stage it at the Studio Two theatre at Great Yarmouth College.
“Staff were thinking of putting on a show but members decided to provide the entertainment themselves,” said George Medler, assistant facilitator at the centre for people with physical or sensory disabilities.
“Initially the idea was for a puppet theatre but it didn’t have enough room for members using wheelchairs – so we created a 30x8ft screen and attached cut-out characters on the wheelchairs to create silhouettes. The choreography was quite a challenge.”
There was a great reception for the show from the audience of other centre members, staff, volunteers and friends.
Nick Ball, the college’s course leader for performing arts, said he admired what the visiting drama group had achieved in such a short time.
“It was very good and we were pleased to work with a community group. Our students can learn from how they tackled it; I hope the centre can learn from the knowledge of our students who helped with the lights, sound and staging. It could be a two-way street. Community theatre is part of the students’ course and I hope we can work together again.”
Diana Staines, Centre 81 manager, said it was the first time the players had performed in a proper theatre and they were grateful to the college.
“The show was well received and managed to involve everyone,” she said. “So many people contributed so much but I must
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