In April, after an intensive week at the theatre, Stage2 attended the National Operatic & Dramatic Association awards ceremony for the West Midlands district. Having been invited with two nominations for Best Adult Drama (Hamlet) & Best Youth Play (Girls Like That), Stage2 Staff and members attended with crossed fingers and hopeful thoughts – and it certainly paid off as by the end of the night, Stage2 went home beaming with the awards in both their categories.

It was a jubilant end to the week for the group who had been, up until 10.30pm the previous night, performing a world premiere of poet Brian Patten’s A Fallible Lecture, adapted specifically for the stage (and 40 young people) by their own staff. The performance at the Crescent Studio theatre was a triumph and having received a five star review from Behind The Arras’ Roger Clarke, the youth group were certainly riding high.

Imagine their pride when a few weeks later, they receive the confirmation that they had been given the exclusive rights to adapt and perform the work of one of Britain’s Bestselling Authors: Gervase Phinn’s A Wayne In A Manger. An uproarious and touching by turns, sparkling collection of highlights from A Wayne In A Manger, with additions from Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars and The Virgin Mary’s Got Nits, this show will remind you all that even the most famous story doesn’t always end the way we expect….!

Stage2 is a Birmingham based youth group for 7-21 year olds that holds the empowerment, education, engagement and welfare of young people at the core of its ethics. Stage2 believes that young people are more capable than many think and seeks to prove that by encouraging all its members to aim high in standards of performance, enthusiasm and professionalism.