BARRY'S Pukka Productions have welcomed their new patron to their Saturday morning Theatre School.

Vivien Care, originally from Penarth, is the course leader and founder of the MA Musical Theatre Course at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Vivien trained at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and then at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she received the prestigious Mary Hammond Prize. Since then she has sustained a busy and varied career in musical theatre, concert, recording, TV and radio, including West End roles in Les Miserables and The Sound of Music amongst many others.

Vivien lives in Barry and was very keen to become involved with the arts in the local community. PUKKA, a long established theatre school for ages three to adult and is run entirely for the benefit of its members, their families and the community.

Vivien said: "I was so genuinely delighted to be asked to become Pukka's new patron, as I just love the enthusiasm and energy of everyone involved.

“There's a brilliant sense of community and positive encouragement and I'm so happy to be able to use my professional experience to contribute in any way I can.”

PUKKA are putting on a performance of Andre Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar in the Paget Rooms, Penarth from July 29 to August 1.

Tickets are £15 and include cabaret seating and complimentary champagne and programme. The Friday and Saturday evening performances are already sold out but tickets Wednesday and Thursday are still availablefrom Sarah on 07917400674.

There will be a special relaxed performance matinee show on the Saturday for £10 a ticket specifically aimed at groups with special needs, learning disabilities or with young children who would find it difficult to attend a standard performance.

PUKKA have set up a crowdfunding drive at crowdfunder.co.uk to raise money to subsidise the relaxed performance. For tickets or details of how to help please contact PUKKA at pukkaproductionsbarry@yahoo.co.uk