The show goes on... finally

A Hathershaw-based drama and music group is back in business after an eight-month break.

Performance Plaza, which will reopen on Tuesday at the Honeywell Centre in Ashton Road, offers drama and guitar workshops to youngsters aged 10 to 16.

It was established by local artist Paul Burgess in 2005 at Hathershaw School and attracted hundreds of youngsters.

It has been supported by the Hathershaw and Fitton Hill New Deal for Communities project, and appeared in Oldham Carnival and Oldham’s Gay Pride events.

But problems over funding and the venue led to the workshops halting for eight months.

It now has backing for two years from Grassroots, the fund operated by the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester.

Paul, who runs Performance Plaza with musician Jason Bromley, said the groups will now meet at the Honeywell Centre every Tuesday.

He hopes to keep numbers down to around 30, charging £1 each, and added: “We have dedicated volunteers and helpers who are CRB checked.

“We have always tried to make it affordable. There are theatre schools doing really good work in Oldham, but they are quite expensive — especially if your parents are unemployed or on a low income.

“This isn’t a youth club, this is a chance for a really good, valuable learning experience, and an active interest in performance and drama is essential.”

He said the group already has a project to aim for, a film to be turned into a DVD for the local Health Improvement Service, on young people and asthma.

He added: “This gives them something tangible to work towards.”