Young performers desperate for funding award

Middleton Popstars Academy at the Christmas lights switch on in Middleton

Budding young performers are nervously awaiting a public vote next Thursday that could see a Middleton project awarded £50,000 of Lottery funding.

Middleton’s Little Theatre is one of the finalists in the annual People’s Millions competition, a partnership between Big Lottery Fund and ITV that awards local community projects.

The bid is backed by Middleton Popstars Academy (MPA), who want to convert a semi-derelict mill on Morton Street into a multi-purpose rehearsal space.

MPA was established ten years ago to give young people the chance to perform but they want to expand to the new venue to have better facilities and do more drama.

They are currently based next door and manager and co-founder Anne Marshall said that the funding would mean a huge step forward for the group.

Ms Marshall said: “It is the kids dream to have the Little Theatre. It would just mean the world to us all.

“Our current venue has served us really well but we are over-subscribed and getting the new facility would really help the children to develop.

“We look after a lot of children and give them opportunities that they would not have had and we are doing something positive for the children by keeping them off the streets.”

If the funding is awarded to the Little Theatre the group will develop a stage area with lighting and sound equipment, a dressing room and an audience space, which in time will have tiered seating.

As well as providing a venue for the MPA to perform, it will also be open to other groups, which Ms Marshall says will be a lot cheaper for them than what is currently available.

The number for voting will be in next Thursday’s (25 November) Daily Mirror and lines will be open from 9am until midnight.

Ms Marshall said the whole group will be working hard all day and thinking of every avenue they can go down to get people to vote.

She said: “Our kids have worked tirelessly for the people of Middleton and I just hope they remember the times when we have helped them.”

For more information on the Middleton Popstars Academy visit www.popstarsacademy.co.uk

To find out more about The People’s Millions go to www.peoplesmillions.org.uk