An East Surrey drama charity has launched a new little theatre for young players.

For Orbit Shed, an inclusive theatre group based at St Luke's Church in South Park, Reigate, has expanded its performing arts sessions to include infant school age children, as well as junior and senior school age groups.

Set up in 2004 by Chickenshed Inclusive Theatre Company in North London, Orbit Shed offer performing arts workshops to children and young people of all abilities and from all social backgrounds. The group aims to offer the opportunity for anyone aged from four to 17 to express their creativity whilst learning essential performance and social skills. Through Orbit Shed, members are able to interact with other children from their local community, many of whom they wouldn't have the chance to meet at school and other groups. Orbit Shed's ethos is to enable all young people, including those with disabilities, to work together and support each other to create innovative pieces of theatre that move and inspire audiences. Each child is seen as an individual with their own interpretations, and every child's input is valuable. Jess Scotton, Artistic and Development Director at Orbit Shed said: “We believe that every child has something to offer, whatever their age or ability.

“We are constantly surprised by the talent and imagination of our members and quite often find ourselves learning from them!”

Orbit Shed's new Little Theatre group, which meets on Tuesday nights, launched recently in Reigate.

Sharon Scotton, chairman of trustees, said: "With Little Theatre we are just extending our ethos of inclusivity down to a younger age group, and I have been delighted by how successful the first two sessions have been.”

She said: “The parents are already commenting on how much their children are enjoying it and that they don't want to wait a whole week to do it again."

Orbit Shed meets on Tuesdays at St Luke’s Church in Reigate. The Little Theatre group for four to seven-year-olds runs from 4.15pm to 5.15pm, the Children’s Theatre group for seven to 11-year-olds runs from 5.30pm to 6.45pm, and the Youth Theatre group for 11 to 17-year-olds runs from 7.30pm to 8.45pm. There are currently spaces in all three groups. For more details call Jess Scotton on 07724 920243, email her at: orbitshed@hotmail.co.uk or visit the website at: www.orbitshed.com