Young people from a Tyldesley estate have been acting out their day-to-day lives on stage.
State of the Estate – Breaking Barriers centres on the experiences of girls who have grown up on the Shackerley estate, and their aspirations for the future.
The dance and drama piece explores personal journeys and the ways in which the characte
rs break through the personal barriers that confront them.
The performance, which took place at Fred Longworth High School, Tyldesley, was one of two Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust projects which have seen youths take positive action on the estate.
Actress Chloe Harper said: "It was scary performing because I didn't know half the people in the audience but I enjoyed it.
"Before the project everybody was just hanging around the estate but now lots of people are using the community centre and taking part in activities.
'Real change'
"So it has taken us all off the streets and that's a real change."
Last year the same cast filmed a DVD informing residents, community workers and parents of what life is like growing up in Shakerley.
In the DVD and live performance many of the actors have admitted to underage drinking and confrontation with adults.
But they have also shown that the same people have ambition and can make their dreams a reality.
"State of the Estate will definitely have a long-term impact on Shakerley," said performer Emily Marsden.
"It has changed the way people outside the estate think about the area. A lot of people have negative views about us and this will help them see that not everyone is the same.
"Life for most of us is just a case of having nothing to do and growing up on the estate.
"What is important is that we continue to have projects like this in Shakerley because it has given us something interesting to do."
Now the final curtain has come down on State of the Estate, Samantha Dawson, Arts Development officer at Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, wants to run a similar initiative very soon.
Samantha said: "The feedback we have received on the project has been largely excellent which everyone involved is delighted with.
"There have been a few negative comments, but we think those have been made because of its honesty.
"All the young people would love to be involved with something similar again."
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