YOUNG performers who have been missing the buzz of a live show because of lockdown are being given the chance to take part in a new online production being staged by Basildon's Towngate Theatre.

The Towngate, which has been closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, has announced it is to run an online summer school which will be an opportunity for any young person interested in the arts.

Basildon: The Lockdown Diaries, will be the Towngate's first ever online project, running over two weeks – Monday, 10 to Wednesday 19 August – and culminating in a show which will be screened on the Towngate's YouTube channel on Friday, 21August at 7pm.

The Summer School is open to singers, actors, dancers and musicians aged between ten and 18 years.

Students will work with theatre professionals (credits include Blood Brothers, Shrek! and West Side Story) to devise and create original songs, scripts and dances based around their life during lockdown.

The workshop will consist of five days of online workshops, concluding the following week with an individual recording shoot - live on the Towngate's stage - to create the lockdown piece.

Theatre Manager, Simon Scott-Pearce said: "As everyone is aware, it has been an incredibly challenging time for the Towngate and the theatre industry.

"However, we are thrilled that we are able to offer this incredible opportunity for the young adults of Essex who are interested and passionate about the arts.

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"This project will memorialise this once-in-a-lifetime experience from their perspective, and our students will learn invaluable skills direct from Industry professional who have worked with many top-name producers on West End productions over the years. I'm so proud of the Towngate team, who have continued to work hard in providing fun, creative and beneficial online content over the last few months, and this project will be an excellent achievement for everyone involved."

The cost for a place on the Online Summer School is £50 per person.

If you would like to take part visit www.towngatetheatre.co.uk to book your place and download an application form.