Out goes the traditional setting and costumes to be replaced with a funky new image and modern attitude as ‘Big D’ sets off on a road trip to London. The performance gives local young people the opportunity to showcase their talents and positive attitude on stage in front of a large audience.

The show is being organised by Sandwell Council’s Youth Service with funding from the Positive Activities for Young People and Youth Opportunity Funds, part of the Department for Children, Schools and Families’ Aiming High for Young People strategy, which aims to provide young people with safe places to go and interesting things to do. Almost £5 million has been made available through the strategy in Sandwell until 2011.

This new take on the classic story is being produced by young people from across Sandwell, along with professional writer Phil Whelans. In this new version, the hero travels across the borough in search of a way to London. Along the way he encounters many magical and talented people who try to persuade him he should resist the bright lights of the big city and stay in his hometown instead.

To be staged at Coneygre Arts Centre, Sedgley Road East, Tipton on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 December, this year’s show builds on the success of last year’s production of Cinderella.

The performers come from all over Sandwell including groups from the Black is Beautiful Youth Theatre Company, Sandwell Shadow Youth Cabinet, LGBT and LAC forums, with music from the Dreemz choir, More Time Media and Brass Monkeys.

The main focus of the Government’s Aiming High for Young People strategy is to provide positive activities for young people and steer them away from anti-social behaviour, with many of the performers carrying this message through to their acts.

Penny Wells, Boroughwide Youth Arts Manager at Sandwell Council, said: “Rehearsals are underway and everyone involved in the production is really excited. Last year’s production of Cinderella was a huge success and some of the teenagers involved enjoyed it so much that they are coming back from university to be involved in this year’s show.

“There will be singing, dancing and plenty of laughs along the way – just what you want from a family pantomime at Christmas!”

Jordan Ebanks, 16, who is playing Dick Whittington in the show, is a talented musician and after using the youth facilities in Sandwell is now wants to give something back by becoming a youth worker himself.

He said: “I got involved in music at The Drum in Birmingham and now I’m doing work here at the studios in Coneygre. I’ve already made one album and am now working on the second.

“But I’m also working on becoming a youth worker myself. I’m always ready to help other people, and give assistance and guidance, either with music or personal issues.”

Rory Campion, 18, is playing three parts in the panto and has plenty of experience on stage. He said: “I’ve played parts in pantos at college and even one in America where I was brought up. I really enjoy being involved in the youth group. I’m always up for anything and it gives me a chance to be involved in all sorts of activities.”

Jaime Long, director of the production, added: “For some of them this will be their first acting experience. As well as giving them something to do, it boosts their confidence and teaches them about responsibility and working as a team. They can see what really goes on when putting on a production and all the work involved behind the scenes.”

Cllr Ian Jones, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for children and young people, added: “This is an opportunity for these young performers to do away with the negative perceptions some people have of teenagers and show how talented they are. We’re keen to provide them with positive activities to get involved in and it’s great to find there is a real appetite in the community for these.”

The new version of Dick Whittington will have two performances a day on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 December at Coneygre Arts Centre, Sedgley Road East, Tipton. For more information and to book tickets contact Liam Sellick on 0121 557 3285 or e-mail liam_sellick@sandwell.gov.uk.

CAPTION
(Front to back)
Jordan Ebanks (Dick Whittington), Tara Price (Cat), Rory Campion (Reggie), Kelly Bloomer (Alice), Adam Price (Idle Jack).

NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Experience shows that young people are more likely to get involved in positive activities when they have a say in what is available, and that taking part helps them to learn new skills, as well as divert them from behaviour that might be considered by the wider community as anti-social.
2. In July 2007 the Government announced a £679 million investment supplemented by £160 million from the Children's Plan to ensure places to go and things to do for young people aged 13-19 as part of the Aiming High for Young People: A Ten Year Strategy for Positive Activities.
3. More information on Aiming High is available at: http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/youthmatters/aiminghigh/
4. Since April 2003, the Positive Activities for Young People programme (PAYP) has provided targeted developmental activities for 8-19 year olds at risk of social exclusion and community crime. Young people can participate in activities during the school holidays and access out of school activities throughout the year. Those most at risk can engage with key worker support. Extra funding over between 20008 and 2011 will increase holiday provision for 'at risk' teenagers, and extend the supply of tailored activities across the year.
5. All local authorities receive funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families for the Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF) and Youth Capital Fund (YCF), the purpose of which is to enable young people to make decisions about positive activities and places to go in their communities. A total of £173 million is available for YOF and YCF in England over the 2008-11 period.

Issued on behalf of DCSF by COI News & PR West Midlands. For further information please contact Neil Whelan on 0121 222 2638 or e-mail neil.whelan@coi.gsi.gov.uk.

• DCSF Document
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