A Swindon theatre group - which trains people who long to perform but are too shy or have no experience - is calling for new members and rehearsal space.

The Little Rooster Theatre School is Veronica Wakeling's brainchild. It began in 2005 with lottery money, to help ordinary people off the street.

Veronica explained, “I wanted to take ordinary girls and boys, men and women off the street - whatever their background. There’s lots of talented people and if they had had a different background they would have gone on to be singers and in the arts. But they’ve never had a chance to get involved. When I was young I had a leaning towards classical opera – but people laughed so I didn’t pursue it.

Fantastic

“I went to the National Lottery with the idea and they were all for it so we got about 30 people involved – aged between 8 – 70. We performed at the Wyvern Theatre, ‘Hot Rocking Gospel’, they thought it was fantastic, they’d never had that experience and it was gut cracking to see them perform, it was emotional, it gave them self esteem.

“Now there’s no Lottery funding but I have private funding and I want to get it going again. We’re open to anyone who’s interested in singing and the performing arts, people who are too shy, who think they can’t do it but really want to try – come and give us a go.”

Veronica is gathering her cast together and at the moment they’re rehearsing in her front room.

Venue anyone?

“We need somewhere to rehearse where the public can’t hear us because we’re starting from basics so if anyone out there has a suitable – free – venue please give me a call. We’ve got eight people at the moment but we’ll need about 20 to do a variety show, hopefully at the Wyvern at the end of 2008, so if you’re interested, let me know.”

For more information please contact Veronica on veronica.wakeling@ntlworld.com