The drama workshops started as an experiment. We have always believed that within everyone is a spark of talent - it just needs to  be discovered and nurtured.

In order to discover what our actors could achieve, we first asked  them to talk for a few minutes to tell us what they had done that  day, or that week. Within a very short time speech making was to  become a passion, and pupils who had started by scarcely uttering  a word were often to become quite eloquent when put centre stage  in the theatre to deliver their weekly story.

Mime, improvisation, and performances grew out of these early classes, pantomimes and plays were produced, from Cinderella and  Jack and the Beanstalk, to  works by Charles Dickens and Dylan Thomas. And with their new skills and joy of speechmaking - after each  performance - each member of the cast would make a short speech,  entirely in their own words, stepping forward to talk to their audience  with a relaxed and happy confidence at the end of their successful show.

In 2005 & 2006, we took a group of  children with special needs from a local primary school, for drama workshops at the theatre. 12 children  (7 to 11 years) attended with their carers and teacher on Friday afternoons,  working on mime, acting, communication and vocal skills, playing parts in  the pantomime Aladdin, and working with the theatre puppets,  made by Simon. An amazing and exciting  response and improvement  in speech immediately arising, as a child held the crocodile, Punch or  Judy and made them talk.

'Pupils have benefited hugely .......a real improvement in oracy especially  sequencing, clarity and projection ... an increase in self-esteem and  confidence... a platform for creative and imaginative skill development...  We sincerely hope that this wonderful relationship can continue.   Head Teacher Llandeilo Primary School.

These workshops are currently supported by the RTR Foundation  and the Baily Thomas Charitable Fund and in 2005 by the   Margaret Dobson Further Education Trust.