An established group, based in Ellesmere Port for the last 12 years, and initially set up as a youth theatre company at the National Waterways Museum which is known locally as the ‘Boaty’. Since moving into its new home, The Boat Shed, two years ago, the Theatre company has expanded its remit to support members of the community of all ages and backgrounds.

Among other things, The Boaty has helped young people get into their first-choice drama school, and its alumni includes people who have gone on to achieve first class honours degrees in theatre and drama and some that have gone on to study at Cambridge University and become members of the prestigious ‘Cambridge Footlights’ group.

This grant will help toward the costs of participating in the National Theatre Connections Festival – an event that could bring a specially written new play, performed by the Boaty Theatre Company, to a prestigious local theatre venue and potentially to the National Theatre in London.