In a surprising space you will find the Valley Community Theatre in Netherley, kept intact after the demolition of the school in 2000.
Following the school's closure in the early 1990s, the theatre, a registered charity, has been supporting the community since 1994 in more ways than the drama and excitement of theatre. It hosts a range of projects including food poverty relief activities for local children, working with people with disabilities, filmmaking, dance and more.
One-act play festivals, dance shows and in-house shows are staged at the venue including this year's panto, Babes in the Wood. This will close the season ahead of future plans to extend as a community resource, a refurbishment of the building and its auditorium including a Creative Cafe.
READ MORE: Win a festive night out in Liverpool city centre with show tickets and hotel stay
The Valley’s director Martin Ball told the ECHO: "The Creative Cafe will be a warm space open seven days a week serving hot, healthy meals. It will serve as a great dining experience for the visiting public, but also house some of our more experimental creative activities and be the central hub of our commitment to community food poverty relief.
"We consulted the community. This is their idea to access activities more often, and many wanted a place where they could meet up with like-minded people. People will be able to try out new ideas for the stage and meet to discuss their creative writing, music or performance project”.
Martin added: "Children, young people and families most at need will be offered free meals in a non-stigmatising environment. Visitors who can pay for a bite to eat will be supporting those families struggling in the current economic climate.
"We are at stage 2 of a lottery bid at the moment and architects are looking at drawing up plans for a new purpose built space on our site. It's really exciting".
Dance facilitator Lyndsey Evans from Elite Dance and Drama said: "The Valley is a fantastic facility where our children feel safe to be creative. We nurture young talents from the age of two up to adults. The community spirit we have built between all user groups is a testament to how much it's needed, especially in this area”.
The theatre is buzzing with the adult drama group putting the final touches to Babes in the Wood. Now in its fifth year of pantos, the occasion is increasingly popular with local families looking for a great festive event at a price that doesn’t break the bank.
Steve Donegan, a local actor who plays villain the Mad, Bad Sheriff of Netherley said: “I’ve been involved with Valley pantos for a number of years. The cast have a whale of a time and it’s a joy to get the audience involved in such a fun activity”.
In typical Valley style, the panto updated the traditional story and is set in Liverpool. Characters include Sir Guy of Gateacre, Robin Hoody and his Scally Mates and Maid Marion Fitzdangle.
For ticket information and bookings visit: www.valleytheatre.co.uk
Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here
READ NEXT
West Derby bistro in running for North West's best takeaway
Lloyds bank issues £427 warning to all customers
Burglar who targeted Raheem Sterling's mansion has home taken away
A Place in the Sun's Jonnie Irwin's heartbreaking mistake after terminal diagnosis
EncroChat thug 'Stealthy' boasted of 'mint wages' from heroin and guns trade
