THREE local performing arts groups for children and teenagers – The Original Dusmagrik Young People’s Theatre Company, Stage Door Youth Theatre and The Dancers School – are working together on a charity show which is to take place at the Gorleston Pavilion Theatre in January 2011.

The three principals of the groups – Mary Carter, Sheila Pascall and Jayne King – decided that it would be a good idea to give their pupils an extra opportunity to perform on stage, showing off their hard work and talent, while also raising money for charity.

All of the groups are based in Gorleston, and between them have been running for over 55 years with hundreds of young people from the area having been members, experiencing the skills and discipline of the theatre while having a great time, often making long-lasting friendships with their fellow performers along the way.

All have their own productions to give their members performing experience – Stage Door and Dusmagrik usually stage two performances each year at the Gorleston Pavilion, while The Dancers School has a show every two years at the Britannia Pier Theatre in Great Yarmouth.

Stage Door director Sheila Pascall said, “I don’t know why we haven’t got round to doing it before. Obviously, having three groups together means that we can share the workload while putting together what should be a full and varied show for local audiences.

“My pupils are already really excited about the show, even though we have another major project on the go with The Grinch which goes on later this month in the same theatre.”

Jayne King, principal of The Dancers School, added: “We have all been connected in many ways for several years because we are all working in the same field.

“I’ve previously choreographed productions for Dusmagrik, Sheila has directed productions for Dusmagrik, ex-students of mine have worked on the choreography for Stage Door, and many of the youngsters from these two groups come to me for dance tuition, so it seemed a great idea to pool all their talents into one show for a change.”

The Original Dusmagik Young People’s Theatre Company is just about to perform its November production Anything Goes at the Pavilion which is in aid of Children in Need.

“Our November productions have always raised money for Children in Need, so it’s good to be able to contribute to another charity through another show,” said Mary Carter.

“Many of these youngsters are involved with more than one of our groups because they really enjoy performing, so it seems a bonus that we can give them this extra chance to do what they love doing.”

Proceeds from 3 in 1 Megamix will be going to the Norfolk charity Nelson’s Journey, which works with bereaved children, and to the Gorleston Pavilion Theatre Restoration Fund.

The show is on Saturday January 8 (7.30pm) and tickets, �7, are now on sale from the Pavilion box office, 01493 662832 or online at gorlestonpaviliontheatre.co.uk.

Tickets for Anything Goes and The Grinch are also on sale from the same venue.