46 Luke playing Bruce Bogtrotter in Matilda. Production of Shrek


Julie provides additional support,


while parents and other volunteers help with costumes, props, scenery and backstage work. Amanda’s own children George,


20, Lottie, 16, and Blake ,13, are involved too providing technical support, backstage work and helping with the younger children. “Te whole family are part of it,”


Amanda says. And the family is getting bigger. Aſter establishing the Dartmouth


group, Amanda opened Teign Stage Stars in her former hometown of Teignmouth, followed by Kings- bridge Stage Stars and, most recently, Riviera Stage Stars in Paignton. Tirty-five children turned up for the first Paignton workshop. “It’s crazy,” she laughs. “But it’s my


passion. I want children everywhere to believe, ‘I can do stuff.’” Ensuring DTC is accessible to all


is vital too. “Keeping DTC affordable is a


really important part of our ethos,” said Amanda. “We want professional quality opportunities to be accessi- ble to as many children as possible, regardless of their circumstances.”


Oli (in red dress) leads the cast in Annie.


Dartmouth remains the heart of it


all. Te group rehearses at Townstal Community Hall and performs at Te Flavel. Tis autumn, audiences can see Grease, followed by Te Wizard of Oz in November. Behind the magic, however, is an enormous amount of work.


“I just needed a new


purpose, and I found it in giving these children somewhere to belong.


Amanda now spends five


evenings a week running groups and continues with workshops during the school holidays. She is also developing a sensory area at Townstal Community Hall for children who need somewhere quiet to retreat to during rehearsals. In December 2025, DTC became


a Community Interest Company, ensuring that money generated by the organisation goes back into its work with the children. Fundraising and donations have helped pay for equipment, but the group is still


looking for financial support, as well as people who can donate or make costumes, help with sets and lighting, or simply volunteer their time. “It’s not just me,” Amanda says. “It’s


a whole collective of people who just want to help the kids.” Ultimately, that is what Amanda


believes her father was trying to tell her all those years ago. Roy once told his daughter:


“Amanda, your forté is the children.” She did not want to hear it in her


twenties. She wanted the stage for herself. Now she understands. “If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be


the person I am,” she says. “He taught me everything I know. He gave me the tools to do this and he gave me resilience.” DTC has given Amanda something


too: a new chapter aſter years in which illness had taken away so much of the performance world she loved. “I just needed a new purpose,” she


says. “And I found it in giving these children somewhere to belong. I’d rather be happy like this than have a job I didn’t enjoy.” Ten she pauses. “We don’t want to be rich. We don’t


want loads of money - this is what makes us rich.” For Amanda, the stage was always


home. It just took a lifetime to discover her greatest role was helping children find their own place on it.


For more information visit dtcy- ouththeatre.co.uk or email amanda@ dartmouththeatrecompany.co.uk Tickets for Grease and The Wizard of Oz are now on sale at The Flavel.


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