A HUB of new and innovative drama explodes into mainstream theatre from The Phoenix Theatre, nestling in Swindon’s New College.

Acting Up, a showcase for youngsters studying drama, takes place tomorrow, Friday, from 7pm, with three plays being performed.

The first, Remote, is a world premiere and part of the National Theatre Connections Festival. It will be performed by the New College students.

More than 200 schools, colleges and youth theatres produce ten new plays across the country in their home venues, before getting the chance to perform their show in a professional theatre with a commercial production team.

The Swindon entry is about a group of teenagers who are in the same park on one special autumn night. It tells the tale of how their lives intersect.

Remote will be performed again at the North Wall Arts Centre in South Parade, Oxford, in May as part of the festival.

Year 10 pupils from Swindon Academy will also be showing off their skills tomorrow, with a play called Ernie’s Incredible Ellucinations.

New College A-Level drama students will perform Under The Bridge, a new play written by the young performers. It is one of this year’s entries in the Harold Jolliffe One Act Play Festival in April.

This annual festival runs from Thursday, April 9 to Saturday, April 11, in the Swindon Arts Centre.

Matthew Clift is manager of the Phoenix Theatre and his own theatre company, Whole Hog Productions, are also based there. Matthew has written a new play, Private Widdle’s Rep, based around Carry On film star Charles Hawtry’s time in Swindon.

It will be performed at Steam museum on April 8, at 7pm, as part of Madam Renard’s Mini Fringe. Whole Hog have also been invited to perform the play at the Isle of Man Festival but need cash to fund their trip.

Matthew said: “We have been part funded by the organisers and have kindly been given some funding by Swindon Does Arts, but still require £1,000 for the trip.

“There will be promotional opportunities when we stage the play at Steam museum for anyone that helps us.’’ Tickets to enjoy Acting Up are £5 on the door and anyone wanting to help Whole Hog perform at the Isle of Man should contact Matthew by emailing him at: Matthew.clift@newcollege.ac.uk - Flicky Harrison