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End of an era for Corby voluntary theatre
It was the end of an era this weekend as a 40-year-old performance showcasing young dancing talent had its last laugh at the Willows Arts Centre.
The voluntarily-run theatre, which is soon to be pulled down, held its last Shape Dance event involving acts from nearly 400 children.
This weekend routines, including ones by Girls Aloud and from the Wizard of Oz and High School Musical, made sure the four-decade tradition ended with a bang.
Organiser May Cardwell said: "It's a lovely little theatre – the atmosphere is tremendous. I've been to most theatres in the country when I was a professional dancer but I like the atmosphere at the Willows.
"The staff there work so hard. It's sad to see it go but you've got to look to the future. The new theatre in the Corby Cube looks like it's going to be modern and state-of-the-art so we'll look forward to that."
The performance – formerly known as Playleadership – brings together youngsters from a range of playschemes and community workshops run by Corby Council.
Mrs Cardwell has arranged for the Christmas show to be held at Brooke Weston College until the new theatre is opened.
Rehearsals are held at community centres across the town in Kingswood, Beanfield, Lloyds East, the town centre and Lodge Park.
Mrs Cardwell has some fond memories of past shows. She said: "One year, the music system broke and we had a pianist come out and play the piano in the orchestra pit for us.
"Another time, we had a summer show out in the open and we took the piano all the way to Queens Square.
"It's one of the big events of the year in Corby."
The Willows will shut at the end of the month to make way for the new town centre redevelopment.
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Weather for Kettering
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
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