A PERFORMING arts organisation has secured £10,000 of National Lottery funding for its Platinum Jubilee project.

This will include a feature-length film celebrating the longevity of live theatre which will premier at the Wyvern Theatre on June 18.

The 32 group classes were asked to choose a theatre show from the last 70 years as inspiration for a piece of theatre, circus or dance. They filmed the performances at the Pattern Church in Swindon, at the Deanery School and by the canal in Wichelstowe.

Revolution Performing Arts Swindon artistic director Laura Barnes said: “We’re super thrilled because these projects are hugely expensive in terms of resources and spaces, and the extra manpower, time and work that goes into them.

“The funding is what makes them happen, so without it, we couldn’t do the project.”

A group also worked with the film production company, Swindon-based OT House, to help edit the film and work on media make-up.

The children chose a wide variety of shows as inspiration for their pieces which were a diverse mix of classic theatre and modern productions like The Lion King and We Will Rock You.

The National Lottery funding has also allowed the group to be involved in other local Jubilee events. On Saturday, performers will be involved in street theatre at a community event in Wroughton.

At the same event, one of the group’s members will be acting out picture books.

The group is working alongside Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service on a three-day project that will see members putting on workshops for families staying at the refuge which will build up to a garden tea party with a range of performances for those attending.

The film’s premiere will take place at a gala event with a three-course meal for families, and every child involved receiving a free copy of the final product. For tickets, visit https://swindontheatres.co.uk/Online/tickets-the-show-must-go-on-vip-gala-film-premiere-swindon-2022 Revolution Performing Arts was set up in 2007 by Fiona Da Silva-Adams as a drama group for toddlers and preschool children, then expanded to cover school-aged children due to demand.

Laura added: “Some of the young people who work with us are vulnerable and if we asked them to pay to be involved there is no way they would have been able to.

“The funding allows children who would not normally be part of something like this to be involved.”