Theatre group celebrates funding from bank charity

A Penicuik-based theatre company which performs plays to special needs schools across the Lothians is celebrating after receiving funding to continue work on a trilogy of plays.

Established five years ago, the Engross Theatre Group has received a £4829 grant from the Bank of Scotland Foundation.

The group’s latest project is a trilogy of plays covering personal and social education.

Artistic director and co-founder Yvonne Moore said: “We are passionate about what we do and this funding will allow us to support more people with learning difficulties with their education.

“With people with learning difficulties and autism, there are certain things that can normally be taken for granted but they can’t learn them automatically.

“These are things like why we don’t cuddle, stroke or touch strangers, about personal space, about why we shake hands, why we don’t talk over people and the importance of facial expressions.”

Engross’ first play – Gongo visits Planet Earth – follows the journey of a friendly alien who crash lands on earth but does not know how to behave.