The cast of a Cwmbran-based stage academy are making final preparations before the curtain goes up for their next show on Friday evening (4 August).

Most members of the cast appearing on stage have a disability. Cwmbran Workingmen’s Club is the venue for Musical Mania, a mix of popular songs from theatre shows and film.

Sarah Hayward, director of the academy, said: “Inspirations is a charity-run academy. I’ve been doing it now for seven years. I take from age five up.” Most of the children and adults have a range of disabilities, some with autism, and Sarah explained what performing on stage means for them.

“It’s basically those who need the chance to shine on stage, to build their confidence and just allow them to be who they need to be. It gives them confidence, an extra boost. Those that come to me who are shy, give it a couple of weeks and they are completely ‘wahoo!’

“Their mums and dads have told me already they’ve come out of their shell. That’s what I aim to do.”

During Wednesday evening’s rehearsals, Cwmbran Life watched as Sarah gave the cast a final instruction before they came out for their opening song. She called into the microphone: “You’ll get on the stage and all your nerves will disappear. Honest.”

Musical Mania features around 25 people on stage and ten others supporting the front of house and backstage, including her mum, Margaret (who also appears on stage during Sister Act’s I Will Follow Him), Rhys Edwards, sound, and Richard King, compere.

This Friday’s show includes five members who have never been on stage before.

Get tickets for the show

Doors open at 6.30pm on Friday 4 August at Cwmbran Workingmen’s Club. The show starts at 7.15pm. Tickets are £5 and can be bought on the door. All the money raised will go to St David’s Hospice Care.

Inspirations Academy

Rehearsals are every Thursday at Woodland Road Sports and Social Club from 6pm to 8pm.

Photos from rehearsals of Musical Mania