Cash has dramatic effect on Black Country musical
A theatre group that received a cash windfall as part of an Express & Star competition wowed crowds at their latest string of shows.
The Phoenix Theatre Company benefited to the tune of more than £1,000 from last year's Cash for your Community scheme.
This support helped the amateur company's breathtaking costumes for its latest run of The King and I.
The production took place at The Mill Theatre in Sedgley where the company performed to six sell-out audiences and more than 2,000 people.
Marketing manager Chris Parkes said: "Our producers and choreographers were really keen to bring this show to life on stage.
"To do that they needed a bigger costume budget and that's what we put the Cash for your Community money towards.
"Everyone agreed that it had a massive impact on the quality of the show and what we were able to produce.
"It was more colourful and a bit more expansive."
Mr Parkes said the feedback from the show has been 'outstanding and extremely humbling' – with many audience members comparing it to professional shows from London. The group was formed three years ago and Mr Parkes said this was the best production yet.
There were between 100 to 150 people from the Wolverhampton and Dudley areas involved in putting the spectacular show together.
This ranged from the onstage cast of 60 to 70, to a professional front of house team, backstage crew and all of the volunteers and child chaperones.
Mr Parkes said that it would not have been such a success without the support from the Express & Stars community cash scheme. "This year's success is thanks in no small part to the additional funding we received from the Cash for your Community scheme," he said.
"The feedback was fantastic, with everyone saying that it looked professional and we really did have some amazing comments."
