MORE people are taking an active interest in the arts during the lockdown.

Edwina Rushe, a member of amateur theatre group the Carlisle Green Room Club, said that more people are taking an interest in the organisation on social media and digital channels.

While the club – which is based at the West Walls Theatre – is unable to rehearse or perform due to the lockdown, members are making more use of social media.

And Edwina says that having been prevented from going out, more people in the Carlisle area are taking an interest in the club and considering becoming involved when it is able to start up again.

“What we have noticed in the last couple of weeks is we are getting more interest from people generally,” she said.

“On social media they are asking more questions like what do we do, and how do they join. It has been an opportunity for us to spend time with people.

“I think people are connecting more digitally online, and are learning more what is out there, like singing groups.

“When the lockdown finishes I think people will have had time to assess their own hobbies and interests, and make some decisions about what they want to do.

“People will want to challenge themselves in a new way, because they have been in lockdown for so long.”

The Green Room was established in 1952 by a small group of players who hired a small room in Carlisle to put on their productions. Now, they have our own 142-seat theatre that normally puts on seven productions a year.

“We were just two shows out from going live with one of our shows, Death and the Maiden, and we were rehearsing and having auditions for another show,” said Edwina.

“There was supposed to be an Irish music night. We were going to have a St Patrick’s Day celebration and we had recruited a number of people for that.

“These are almost like open mic nights where people can come and play music, or sing, or recite a poem, and sometimes we have had shortened sketches or plays. That had generated a lot of interest. There seems to be a lot of talent in the area and people do want to sing, play music and do sketches.”

The Green Room had had a very successful pantomime season before the lockdown was put in place, selling out all the shows, which is helping the club through the current crisis.

But when they are able to return, the club is aiming to actively recruit more people to join.

“At the Green Room we had also launched a mentorship where we invited people to learn more about lighting, set building, drama and so on,” said Edwina.

“We are particularly looking for more men like a lot of groups in the arts. For a lot of shows it can be difficult to attract young men, and there is a lot of talent in Carlisle. We have a broad appeal to the community – we are seeking people from all walks of life. We have an open door policy, and we accept all levels of experience and talent.”

You can find the Green Room on Facebook or at www.carlislegreenroom.uk