The Chiltern Centre celebrating 20 years with their young performers starring on The Kenton Stage

The Kenton has teamed up with local charity, The Chiltern Centre, again to enable young adults with disabilities the opportunity to show off their talent in the spotlight on Sunday 2^nd June at 2pm.

Off the back of an outstanding performance of Bahdoon last year, the Chiltern Centre bring us The Silent Boy; the story of a boy in a land in the distant future, who chooses to remain silent.

It is a story of triumph over adversity, suitable for the whole family, and performed by an enthusiastic and confident cast of Buddies Group members.

The Chiltern Centre is the recipient of The Kenton Theatre Community Fund, which assists local groups who are underrepresented in the arts to step into the spotlight. The centre is celebrating 20 years of care for short break and day care for people with learning disabilities.

Director Gareth John says ’The rehearsals for this year’s show, The Silent Boy, have gone at a pace and really well, the main reason for this is the enthusiasm, energy and expressive need seen in all the young people involved.

Last year we were treading into new territory with our first venture as a group – creating a theatre piece, but the long-term positive effect of that performance stayed in these young people’s minds and hearts which resulted this year in a huge eagerness and confidence to once again tread the boards of The Kenton Theatre. 

The impact of the arts in health and in our community is well publicised today, with its capacity to forge connections, promote relatability and empathy as well as grow within us all, a sense of self-worth and equality.

The Chiltern Centre in Henley in association with The Kenton Theatre is so thankful to be a part of a community that promotes this, providing our young people of all abilities the means to express, grow and thrive. 

Community support groups, cultural organisations, educational organisations charities can all apply to use The Kenton Theatre Community Fund, which provides financial and technical support for a one-off performance at The Kenton. The Fund is collected through donations as well as through a levy of 25p on every ticket sold for performances promoted by the Kenton Theatre.

For more information on The Kenton Theatre Community Fund please email: theatremanager@kentontheatre.co.uk