THE stage is set for a multi-thousand pound Millennium play based around Little Hulton, Walkden, Worsley and Boothstown .

A feasibility study has been carried out, a grant has been awarded, and a professional writer, director and international designer have been signed up.

But now, it's cue the general public, as the play will be built around the people who want to act, sing, make design, sew, build, light, or do anything to help at all.

Salford Open Theatre is staging the production and the aim is to feature stories around Little Hulton, Walkden, Worsley or Boothstown areas in the West side of Salford.

People with stories to tell about those districts are especially invited to join in, and a launch meeting is being held tonight for anyone in the areas interested in drama or local history.

It takes place at the Church Hall, St Andrew's Methodist Church, Manchester Road, East, Walkden, from 7pm.

Salford's 'West Side Stories' is the latest in the long line of productions created by Salford Open Theatre, which was set up more than 10 years ago.

The group concentrates on project based productions and since its formation has performed on stages varying from Salford Quays to a car park!

Member, Wendy Bailey said: "I, and quite a few of the members, live in Walkden and we have not done anything yet based over that side of the city."

Feasibility

After carrying out a feasibility study in the areas, which showed a "lot of enthusiasm" for the project, an application was made for a lottery grant. This resulted in £20,000 being awarded from the Millennium Commission.

Writer Maggie Willetts has been enrolled, together with Mike Harris, an experienced community drama director. Designer, Ruth Howard from Canada, will also be involved.

Following tonight's meeting, taster workshops will be held over two weekends in October. In December there will be more drama, acting and devising workshops, and a musical director is due to be appointed in January. Casting and rehearsals take place in May.

Wendy said: "People can be involved as little, or as much, as they like."

The play is set to be staged in October 2000, and Wendy added: "The workshops give people the opportunity to discover what they are good at. We have a very developmental way of working.

"All our workshops are free and we will take people with any level of experience.

"I got involved for example as a chauffeur. I was taking my then nine-year-old daughter to one of the meetings, and sitting through it found the idea of getting people off the street to take part appealing.

"The people who have got involved with us over the years must now run into four figures. Many go on to bigger things. My daughter for example is now 21 and studying drama at Loughborough University."

Anyone interested in playing any sort of role in the production can attend the meeting tonight, or telephone Wendy on 0161 950 2625, Ernie Kearney on 0161 789 6644, or Iris Kennedy on 0161 792 6735, for further information.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.