THURROCK's closure-threatened Thameside Theatre played host to performances by the borough's young entertainers over the weekend to rapturous applause and welcome from parents, residents and music supporters to turned up in numbers.

It was a return to the 'good old days' as the Thameside Theatre reopened after the closure with the 16th Thameside Young Producers show - titled "Out of the Darkness into the Spotlight."

The show brought together seven Theatre Schools who gave performances that reflected the experience of the Covid pandemic.

Over 130 youngsters performed across 24 acts. It was a real achievement to bring so many groups, and individual artists, together to deliver a top quality, evening of superb entertainment - especially as the show was only given the go ahead in the last week or so.

Thameside Young Producers gives young people a valuable insight into the technical side of the theatre business - everything from event management and box office to lighting, sound and stage management.

Over the last eight years, led by Franki McKewen, the Thameside Young Producers have given more than 1,500 talented young people the chance to perform on a professional stage and gain experiences that will stay with them forever.

However, the theatre is set to be closed under cost-saving plans produced by Thurrock Council.

That was always at the back of the mind of many of those who attended the weekend shows, many of whome took the opportunity to criticise the closure decision in person or via social media.

One of those was Grays Labour councillor John Kent who is to the forefront of the campaign to get the Conservative-led council to change its mind and he said: "Closing the Thameside will not only mean no more joyous evenings like tonight but will rob all those youngsters of the opportunity to perform on a professional stage."