Local actor launches new theatre classes for youngsters in Gourock

A GREENOCK actor is hoping to help Inverclyde youngsters boost their confidence and unlock their potential after launching a new drama class in Gourock.

ShowWorks Theatre is running weekly sessions for nursery and primary school-aged children at St John’s Church Hall.

The classes, which already run in Glasgow, Irvine, Largs and Glengarnock, focus on building confidence, forging new friendships and working on presentation and communication.

Ruairidh Forde, who leads the sessions, said: “There are a lot of other things in the area drama and performance-wise for young people, but we think we offer something slightly different.

“Week-to-week we’re working on confidence, drama skills, performance skills – and generally just trying to bring kids out of their shell.

“Team building and group work is a big thing for us too.

“We’re always telling the kids when they’re doing a show, the cast and the crew is one big team and everybody has to gel together.

“A lot of the stuff we do is group work based – and it’s usually always lots of nonsense, which is part of the fun of it.”

Ruairidh, 29, first got involved in performing arts when he took classes at Carole Fry Studio Theatre as a child.

Now living in Largs, he is delighted to be offering classes to youngsters in Inverclyde.

He told the Tele: “I was quite a shy wee boy but I was really interested in acting.

“I was terrified of going but I just loved it when I was there – I loved it the games and the interaction with other people, and all the creative tasks you were set.

“It really helped my confidence but it also fostered this love of drama that I still have now.

“It’s funny watching the kids that are coming and thinking, ‘that was me at that age’.

“All it takes is for someone to see a wee something in you and work with you on that.

“It’s really rewarding to be the person on the other side of it now.”

ShowWorks Theatre’s nursery classes for ages three and over run every Wednesday at 3.15pm.

There are separate classes for primary one to three at 3:45pm, and primary four to seven at 4.45pm.

To find out more, contact admin@showworkstheatre.com