AS the curtain fell on the last performance of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ on Saturday, cast members vowed not to let their drama group close without a fight.
At the end of Saturday night’s performance, members of Mid Powys Youth Theatre past and present congregated on the stage of the Wyeside in Builth Wells, and vowed to keep the organisation going through any means, despite the withdrawal of their funding by the Arts Council Wales.
County councillors, Assembly Members and local campaigners spoke to the County Times on the issue, sharing their concerns and disappointment that the youth drama group has seen its vital funding slashed.
“Theatr Powys has not been treated fairly and for reasons known only to the ACW, they don’t want theatre in education any more,” said County Councillor Gwyn Gwillim, while AM Kirsty Williams said: “I think the decision of the ACW is hugely disappointing and will leave a black hole in Powys without anything to take its place.”
MPYT now has its own pressure group called the Campaign4Creativity (C4C), which is fighting the arts cuts in mid Wales and organised ballot boxes to be stationed inside the Wyeside during the play’s run.
The C4C group can be found here - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=136580273034732.
The cast and crew, as well as past members are all passionate about preventing a ‘black hole’ developing in the arts in Powys.
“Please vote for the continued opportunity of active participation in the arts,” said Baely Saunders, administrator of C4C at the end of their Wednesday performance, November 3.
“Let us empower our county councillors to empower us. And let’s at least show them that here in mid Wales we look after our own.”
Artist director at Theatr Powys, Ian Yeoman described the ACW’s decision as ‘barbaric’.
The young cast aren’t keeping quiet now that the play has finished, either.
The issue is due to be raised in school assemblies and is a constant topic of discussion among those could be affected.
“Mid Powys Youth Theatre is awesome, it can’t shut down,” said Megan Jones, who starred as part of the Watch in this year’s production of ‘Much Ado’.
“I’ve been a part of it for just two months and already it seems like a huge family."
Robbie Williams, who played the major role of Don Pedro in the production, said: "It was an interesting experience and I learned a lot, it was good fun. I feel deflated and want to keep it going."
Fellow MPYT member Karen Bywater added: "I'm devastated, I've been in it for a year now and I love it.
"I wanted to do several more years at least, I just hope it stays open as it gives kids loads of opportunities to get out there and not just sit at home."
“It’s the closest and best thing in our area in terms of drama and youth clubs,” added Megan, who is due to take part in a school assembly raising awareness of the Campaign4Creativity and the effect of the funding cuts.
“We have members travelling from as far away as Kington which shows how popular it is and how much people want to go.”
Readers can help the campaign by filling in and posting the form on page 35 of this week's County Times.