WEST End stars have been visiting a drama camp at an Islington community centre to inspire children to get into performing arts.

The weekly theatre camps at the Vibast community centre have been running throughout the summer, supported by the holiday and food (HAF) fund.

They give local children on free school meals a chance to rehearse and perform a play, like Shrek, Matilda, or Wicked, and provide them with a daily hot meal.

“Not everyone can afford to access performing arts camps like this”, said Reice Weathers, who has been organising the sessions.

“So this funding has been really important in making sure everyone can get a chance to participate”.

Mean Girls star Georgina Castle did a Q&A session with the children yesterday (Thursday), whilst Tarinn Callender, from the original London cast of Hamilton, was a guest at the camp last week.

Mr Weathers, who grew up in Angel, said: “I really hope this helps bridge the gap for a lot of them, and makes performing feel more real and more achievable.”

He added: “Ultimately, the problem for young people is that they don’t have access to an alternative. We want them to know the world is bigger than hanging around in the flats, and this is an opportunity for them to expand their perspective.”

There are still spaces left for the final week, beginning Tuesday, August 27.