A youth drama group faces an uncertain future as its organisers say they have no regular place to practise.

Children were left crying in the foyer of the theatre on Saturday when the group was told the practise room they had booked and paid for, the Dixon Studio, was already occupied.

Group tutors say this was the latest breakdown in communication with the theatre's management and they have been told there are only four slots available for them to practise in the next three months.

Claire Bartlett, a tutor with the group, said: "The future of the group looks uncertain. It seems there is a problem with us using the space on a regular basis.

"We are half way through a £9,000 lottery project, which is due to finish in June next year, but we may not be able to practise for it."

The group, which has about 70 members aged seven to 16, including some with special needs and disabilities, has been running for more than ten years.

Lynda Kantounas, a special needs tutor with the group, said: "This group has worked so hard and I am so proud of them all, and now they are all heartbroken as we may not have a place to practise."

Fern Potter, chair of the group, said she will be meeting with officers from Southend Council, who own the theatre, to discuss and resolve the issue.

She added an emergency alternative venue had been found for January next year, as St Bernard's School had offered practise space for the group.

Charles Mumford, manager of Southend Theatres, who run the Palace, said: "The group were asked to use the foyer over the weekend, but this is standard practise as the group pay a very cheap rate on the understanding that if the studio is already booked, they use other available space."

Published Wednesday November 26, 2003

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