Young Wolverhampton performers prepare for Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Members of the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts got the bellies rolling with laughter when they performed new play 'Jurassic Jeffrey' to crowds of children.

They are now preparing to take the play across the Scottish border and wow crowds at the world's largest arts festival this summer.

Principal of the academy Julian Elcock said: "The Wolverhampton Literature Festival was great grounding for some who will be coming with us to our very first performance at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.

"Stepping into the biggest festival in Europe, if not the world, will be a huge ask and the more experience they have the better."

Performers, who were supported by two assistant teachers, stole the spotlight at Bantock House during the second Wolverhampton Literature Festival last month.

It was the first time the six-strong troupe of young people performed the traditional mummers play about dinosaurs to crowds of children.

Jurassic Jeffrey was written by poet and Wolverhampton-based solicitor Ian Henery for Dorset's Jurassic International Jamboree, set to take place in August.

He then adapted his play for a younger Wolverhampton audience and invited the Pauline Quirke Academy to bring his vision to life.

Mr Elcock said: "Performing for children is really hard, they are an exacting audience who do not hesitate to let you know if they are not enjoying it or are bored.

"The show went down very well and all of the kids loved it which was great. It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to get out and perform in a way that is not usual for them, a new venue and professional standards."

Mr Elcock, who is principal of the Wolverhampton, Telford, Wrekin and Bridgnorth branches, said the group now plans to perform the play throughout the year.

He said: "We have plans for our own PQA Drama and Arts Festival in July so we will be able to show Jurassic Jeffrey for the youngest ones alongside our Edinburgh performance and showcases of students work on music and drama stages and films in a specially prepared tent.

"Our youngest performers aged four and five won’t be left out as they will have their very own tent too. We have so much going on and so much to prepare for it’s going to be a really busy year.

"It is the perfect time to be a member of PQA as we prepare for all of this and more."