When the curtain fell on Spotlight Community Theatre’s sold out production of Shrek at the Empire, Consett in April, they wasted no time in planning their next endeavour. Following three sold out performances, a viral TikTok and an appearance on The Jimmy Fallon Show, the decision was made by the management team to thank the community; mainly by raising money to help others within the local area, giving back to those who had supported them in making Shrek the Musical such a success.
Led by Helen Featherstone and Jayne Clennell, the group were inspired by Beatrix’s Heart Journey to perform a charity concert at St. Patrick’s Church Hall; Beatrix was in the Freeman Hospital at the time living with a mechanical heart until a donor could be found. Her family were hoping to raise money to build a sensory garden at the Freeman Hospital; something they have since been successful in establishing.

With the help of Red Sky charitable foundation funding matching, the group managed to raise almost £5000 for this cause, enough to build a larger garden in the area for the families of children awaiting surgery. The group dedicated their final number to Beatrix, a cover of Pink’s “Cover me in Sunshine.”

Following this, Spotlight performed an Armistice Day concert entitled “We’ll Meet Again.”, written by a member and performed largely by the younger members of the group following workshops around evacuation. The concept for this initially began prior to the open day for The Roxy in Leadgate where members performed songs from World War Two and scenes as factory workers, soldiers in the trenches and a family loosing loved ones to the conflict. The proceeds of this concert were donated to the Roxy, raising £275 to support their renovations.

The group are now looking to support their own endeavours as the next production approaches; the adult section are performing “The Wedding Singer” based on the Adam Sandler comedy of the same name from the 15th to the 17th February at the Derwent Manor. Tickets are priced at £15 each and available by calling or texting the ticket line on 07729781198. Our younger members will be taking to the stage themselves in a musical revue at St. Patrick’s Church Hall, later this year. If you’d like to find our more about the group, be sure to follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SpotlightCTP.