Youth theatre group exits stage with nowhere to go (From Warrington Guardian)

Youth theatre group exits stage with nowhere to go

A YOUTH theatre group is looking for space because University College Chester is refusing to let it use the Warrington campus's theatre.

CODYS, which has 60 members aged 11 to 19, has been using the Derek Newton Theatre on Padgate campus for five years, but since University College Chester took it over, the arrangement has ended.

Nick Cupit, founder and chairman of CODYS - Cheshire Operatic Dramatic and Youth Set - said: "Chester told us that the Derek Newton is just going to be a media centre and groups like ours won't be able to hire it any more. It's given us a major headache because there isn't anywhere else like it in Warrington."

CODYS, which in 2005 will be 10-years old, is now forced to rely on school and church halls.

Nick said: "We're having to run smaller groups because trying to get 60 kids on to a school stage is a safety hazard. Parr Hall would be suitable except it is too expensive and you have to use their refreshments and front-of-house staff, which adds to the cost. I think amateur arts in Warrington is under threat because of a lack of theatre space."

The Parr Hall costs £360 per day Monday to Thursday and £410, Friday to Sunday.

The Guardian Midweek contacted University College Chester several times for a comment, but the organisation failed to issue one.

A Parr Hall spokesperson said: "As far as we are aware we haven't been approached by CODYS to discuss their potential use of the Parr Hall. We have quite a number of amateur groups using Parr Hall and Pyramid and would never discourage them from using the venue, but we do have to adhere to the council's agreed fees and charges."