<\/p>\n
Comedian and TV\u2019s Taskmaster host Alex Horne will be compering a music talent event by Thames Valley Adventure Playground\u2019s (TVAP) Community Choir in April.<\/p>\n
The Stage of Stars show, which developed from the choir, will take place at Norden Farm on Thursday, April 30 from 7.30pm.<\/p>\n
Mr Horne, the charity\u2019s patron, said he is \u2018very proud\u2019 to be assisting the crew of performers.<\/p>\n
TVAP supports children and adults with special needs and has provided a specialist indoor and outdoor play facility across a 2.5-acre site in Taplow for more than 40 years.<\/p>\n
The playground caters for children and adults with a range of special needs, including physical disabilities, learning challenges, behavioural difficulties, sensory impairments, autism and other conditions which can make mainstream provision inaccessible.<\/p>\n
The idea to set up the community choir at TVAP came from the charity\u2019s community outreach co-ordinator Lucie Grange, together with colleagues Beckie Morgan and Beverley Grange, who had the idea of \u2018giving singing a go\u2019 in 2023.<\/p>\n
They now run a weekly choir group on a Thursday at the playground.<\/p>\n
The choir regularly performs at TVAP to family and friends and puts on a \u2018popular\u2019 Christmas concert.<\/p>\n
It has now grown and requires a bigger venue to \u2018spread the joy and show off our talents\u2019, Lucie said.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cAll our members have different abilities, and we cater to very different needs: working with the help of our brilliant volunteers to make this group shine.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have seen everyone grow in confidence since we began and we are proud we will be performing to the public soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was our choir which gave us the inspiration to host the Stage of Stars and to provide a platform for other performers with additional needs to show their talents.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chance to Dance Stars CIC, a dance school originally set up in Reading for students and families in the disabled community will perform.<\/p>\n
The show will feature nine acts who will perform for around ten minutes each.<\/p>\n
These include a pianist, a comedian\/poet and several singers.<\/p>\n
The last act will \u2018have everyone on stage singing or signing\u2019.<\/p>\n
Lucie added: \u201cAll performers have additional needs, whether it be autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, epilepsy; as will some of our audience.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will be an inclusive performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf people need to move, make a noise, pop out for a break or join in, they can. We want people to do whatever they need to enjoy themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease sing along, clap and cheer. And do get in touch if you would like to join our very inclusive choir.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alex Horne said: \u201cIf you don’t know what the Thames Valley Adventure Playground is all about, then you will do after this show.<\/p>\n
\u201cTVAP is a special place where everyone is welcome, and our show will be a similarly inclusive experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt may well not be like anything our audience has seen before and I’m confident they won’t forget it any time soon. I\u2019m very proud to be assisting a whole crew of wonderful non-judgemental performers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Local companies are supporting the event through donating money towards the venue, refreshments, marketing, raffle prizes and production.<\/p>\n
TVAP has thanked the companies for their support.<\/p>\n
The charity said further donations are also welcome to support its wider work.<\/p>\n