Oh yes they did! SWCT gang go backstage for panto treat

SWCT go backstage for panto treat with Sue Devaney, who played Countessa Vyella Squeezepocket in Cinderella

Young people from Rochdale’s Stories We Could Tell (SWCT) HUB spoke of a day they would 'never forget' after being taken backstage at a star-studded pantomime at the Oldham Coliseum.

Rochdale actress Sue Devaney, who played evil stepmother Countessa Vyella Squeezepocket in the show of Cinderella, organised for the team to visit her at the theatre where they met the cast and discussed performing arts.

The Stories We Can Tell project at Vibe Rochdale gives young people an opportunity to express themselves through creativity, promoting mental wellness and mindfulness.

Founder Steve Cooke said: “It’s important for young people to have a place to come and unwind, and to be creative. They are over the moon that Sue is involved. You can imagine their reaction we told them they were going to go backstage with her.”

Sue Devaney said: "Vibe is an outstanding project which allows young people to express themselves through the arts. Having worked with these young people I can tell you how talented they are, and how dedicated the team is at helping these young people grow and express themselves.

“Some of the team showed an interest in theatre and performing arts, so we managed to sort out an excursion for them all to come and meet the cast.

“It was a superb afternoon, a massive thanks to the Coliseum Theatre for making their day so special.

“It was a particularly special time this year as I was working with Kevin Shaw, and sadly it was his last ever production as artistic director.

“For 17 years he’d been avidly working towards a new theatre, but this has fallen though. So, who knows what’s going to happen, but I do know that it’s a very special theatre with an amazing audience and fantastic actors.

“With a bit of luck the pantomime will flourish for many years to come, and I sincerely hope Mr. Shaw will continue to direct many more successful shows.

“At the end of the day the arts are crucial for all young people of the future, and we have to keep it alive. If it was up to me, I’d build a theatre on every street corner.”

Sue will next appear in a UK tour of Calendar Girls the musical.