A DASH of Brazilian colour filled Acland Burghley School last week as a carnival-inspired theatre group took to the stage to celebrate its ninth birthday.

CarnivALL, an arts project managed by SeeThrough Theatre Company, performed songs and dance in the school’s “Hall for All”, an assembly space which is currently at the centre of a fundraising push to help restore the listed building and open it up to community groups. The theatre company has worked in care homes, schools and community centres creating carnival costumes and has appeared at street parties and community events.

A film about the project was screened, followed by music from Brazilian duet Abel Luiz and Alua Nascimento. SeeThrough Theatre Company director Julia Evangelista said: “CarnivALL has shown that creativity and celebration can bring people together.”

The Hall for All fundraising push is looking to raise a further £113,000 to complete a project that incudes new staging, box office and servery.