A YOUNG Chepstow performer was able to work with the writer of Shirley Valentine, Educating Rita and Blood Brothers thanks to a local singing club.

The Chepstow Singing Club presented a bursary award to Michael Lowe enabling the 17-year-old to attend a week-long Arvon Foundation course on writing for music theatre in Yorkshire.

The writer and lyricist Willy Russell, whose best-known works include Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine, and Blood Brothers, led the course.

Michael already a rising singing star said the course had inspired him to write his own musical and a number of songs.

He said: "The course went really well and it was rewarding to work with Willy Russell who has such a vast amount of experience."

As well as writing and composing, Michael, who studies singing with The Singing Club's director, Karl Daymond, is a highly talented baritone and is currently a principal in The Welsh National Youth Opera production of The Sleeper.

The teenager added: "I would love to go on to study musical theatre and hopefully one day I will actually make it onto the West End or Broadway."

The Chepstow Singing Club, who are appearing on the bandstand on July 17, invite everyone to bring a picnic and enjoy a Sunday afternoon by the riverside, 2.30- 5pm. If wet the concert will be moved to The Drill Hall.