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Theatre group for the homeless set for new show

Allen Cook
BBC News, West Midlands
University of Warwick A performer with the group looks up to the right of the camera, facing us. She appears to have a blue top on with a white blanket pulled up to her chin with red and green patterns on it. She has brown hair with red highlights towards the end and has two fabric devil's horns on her head.University of Warwick
Those involved with the group have composed songs with a meaning to them, the university said

A community theatre group run by homeless and vulnerable people is preparing for the first public performance of their new show and says working towards it has boosted their confidence.

Underground Lights has worked on the project with the University of Warwick and local musicians over six weeks.

One of the group, John, described it as like "a second home", and working on the performance was "a great help" to his journey away from homelessness.

Their performance will be held at Coventry Central Hall at 16:00 BST on 2 April, followed by an exhibition on 15 May at Warwick Arts Centre.

Prof Nadine Holdsworth, from the university, said those involved in the theatre group have felt "ignored and marginalised in society".

Working with them in the group had helped them learn new skills and support each other, she added.

She added: "This performance will be truly unique – don't miss it."

Fai Banks/University of Warwick Several members of the group singing. They all hold pieces of paper and face to the right of the frame. The man in the centre wears a yellow hat and green hoodie over a T-shirt. To his left is a man with dark hair in a grey T-shirt, to his right a woman with long blonde hair and a dark top. Behind them are two people, a woman with dark hair and a purple top with white spots and a man in glasses wearing a black round hat and a grey top with a Mickey Mouse drawing on it.Fai Banks/University of Warwick
Drama workshops have been used by the theatre group to draw together the songs

John said he had been "in and out of jail for 30-odd years" and been homeless "more times than I can remember", but the group had helped him with his recovery.

"I've done loads of stuff with them," he added.

"I'm a rapper now, and I don't have to write my lyrics because I spent 20 years when I was in jail writing them."

Those involved with Underground Lights said they ran "creative cafes" and drama workshops with the group.

For the performance, they have composed songs with themes and lyrics that mean something to their lives, they added.

Dave Freak The outside of Warwick Arts centre with two plants with yellow-ish fronds spiking out of them. The entrance has glass doors with "Warwick Arts Centre" written over it in yellow. The outside has thin yellow posts with posters in between with words in different colours written on them including "Everyone" "Welcome" "Here".Dave Freak
The performance is due to be followed by an exhibition at Warwick Arts Centre in May

Prof Holdsworth said she and postgraduate students from the university's theatre department had worked with them on their ideas, funded by the university's Warwick Institute of Engagement.

Another in the group, Johnny, said he came across Underground Lights while living in hostels, and it had helped him make friends and learn about his talents.

"It led me to my passion for music and learning how to DJ," he added. "I've now worked as a DJ and been paid for it.

"It's been weird going from sofa surfing and homelessness and living in hostels to having a one-bed place, getting married, living in a three-bed house and meeting a bunch of people that have been through the same experiences."

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