A HUGE upcoming community play which will feature around 100 people has been given a major boost by a charity.

SALT, Poole’s large-scale community play produced by Lighthouse, has been awarded £15,000 by Talbot Village Trust.

Lighthouse chief executive Elspeth McBain said: "We're delighted and extremely grateful to Talbot Village Trust for supporting this ambitious and inclusive cultural project in the heart of Poole.

"So much has already been achieved by a dedicated creative team and volunteers from wonderfully diverse communities throughout Poole, but this injection of funding has come at just the right time to see our plans come to fruition."

The play will be performed at Lighthouse from Thursday, July 27 to Sunday, July 30, with street scenes played out in Poole’s Old Town and High Street on the Friday and Saturday.

It will feature a community cast of 100 actors and singers aged nine to 86 along with five professional actors and three musicians.

Set between 1681 and the present day, SALT shines a light on the historic relationship between Poole and Newfoundland.

By the end of the 17th century, many Dorset families had settled in Newfoundland as economic migrants from rural and coastal poverty.

Talbot Village Trust chair Nick Ashley-Cooper said: “Community theatre brings people of all ages together and nurtures creative talent. We’re incredibly proud to support this wonderful exploration of Poole’s unique past which introduces audiences to Poole’s historic connection to Newfoundland, much of which can still be seen and felt in communities across the town today.”

SALT was conceived, created and directed by Lynne Forbes and Tamsin Fessey of Angel Exit Theatre from a specially commissioned script for the community play by Stephanie Dale.

The play’s costumes have been designed and made by students at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB).

Conceived, created and directed by Lynne Forbes and Tamsin Fessey of Angel Exit Theatre from a specially commissioned script by Stephanie Dale, the costumes have been designed and made by students at Arts University Bournemouth.

Puppets are by Poole-based theatre maker Heidi Steller and original music by Tom Sharkett of band W H Lung.

Renowned Dorset folk musician Tim Laycock is musical director and Michelle Nova of La Nova Singers is choir leader. 

Tickets for SALT are available now at lighthousepoole.co.uk/event/salt-a-community-play-for-poole/.