Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure - Belvoir Players

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will acknowledge the contribution made by the Belvoir Players Amateur Dramatic Society to the local community.

(AQO 437/10)

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure:

I would, of course, be pleased to acknowledge the contribution which Belvoir Players Amateur Dramatic Society has made to the local community.

The Society, which has a junior academy membership of 160 and an adult membership of 70, provides a range of valuable arts activities for all sections of the local community to enjoy. These activities include: adult drama groups, a youth academy, summer schools, special needs creative arts, older people’s creative arts and education programmes.

Belvoir Players is a key strategic partner in assisting the Arts Council to increase attendance and participation levels in the arts, particularly in areas of social and economic deprivation.

The Society’s ticket pricing policy provides access to the arts for low income families when affordability at other venues would be a deterrent.

It plays a vital role in the development of creative skills for members of its local and surrounding communities and is widely regarded by the amateur dramatic sector, and indeed professional drama sector, as being a leading force in community drama provision in Northern Ireland.