THE show will go on.

Blue Apple Theatre’s interpretation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein will be performed by adults with learning disabilities thanks to a hugely successful fundraising campaign.

It is set to run at the Theatre Royal Winchester and also digitally streamed between July 8 and 10.

Artistic Director Richard Conlon and his son Barney each walked 100km to raise funds to stage the summer show.

The money was boosted by matchfunding support from Winchester City Council‘s small grant scheme.

In total, £4,758.74 was raised with potential for an additional £680 in Gift Aid. This means that the production is on a solid footing with a total of £5,439 to go towards lighting, costumes, make-up, technical support and skilled direction and possibly will leave enough remaining to go towards future productions.

Richard Conlon said: "This is great! Now we can really focus on making the production the best summer show possible.

"We are also relieved that the delay to lockdown easing will not affect Frankenstein’s live performances as Theatre Royal Winchester is fully Covid-19 secure with the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre’s Safety Mark.

"We also have a streaming option available to vulnerable audience members so the production will be totally unaffected by the recent announcements."

Blue Apple’s production of Frankenstein also has financial support from the Keats-Shelley Memorial Association, The Edward Gostling Foundation and The Douglas Arter Foundation.

A retelling of the classic tale will be told by a cast with lived-experience of the themes of alienation, otherness and prejudice.

Founded in 2005 and based in Winchester, Blue Apple is a theatrical company that supports performers with learning disabilities to develop and present high quality productions for the widest possible audiences.

The increase in confidence gained through stage performances has helped Blue Apple participants to enhance their social, personal and artistic skills and also achieve public recognition for their talents.