LAST week saw the announcement that founder and CEO of Capall Dorcha Theatre Company would be moving on from his role.

Barry kick started the popular organisation and has worked with thousands of children in the local area and helped to bring the arts back to Ardrossan and beyond.

He spoke of his departure, the role it has played in his life and his hopes for Capall Dorcha moving forward.

Barry said: “My last four years at Capall Dorcha Theatre company have been the most fulfilling and exhilarating of my career to date.

“The organisation has allowed me to focus on my passion for theatre and the arts and support my home town area of Ardrossan and the wider region of North Ayrshire and Arran.

“Since founding the organisation in 2015, I am proud to say that over 10,000 people, throughout the region, have participated in the work the company provides through theatre productions or educational outreach work.

“Thanks to funding from the Lottery Community Fund we now have premises and staff to support and grow the organisation’s vision of harnessing the power of the arts to strengthen communities, change futures, unlock potential and offer equal opportunities for all. More importantly the organisation lies in the hands of its members and participants taking part.

“We have two theatre productions coming up, and our adult and classes and arts awards within local school partnerships will provide new opportunities in the arts for our community that I hope increases arts participation in our region.

“Moving on the time is ripe for fresh ideas to support ‘Ensemble’ and the outreach work that we offer.

“For myself, I am looking forward to my new venture continuing my career in theatre focusing on productions and will continue to support Capall Dorcha Theatre company within a board member capacity.

“I can’t wait to see what the organisation accomplishes next and know that whoever the next company manager is, that they will be enabled and supported by not only our colleagues but also our members, audiences and board.”

Chair of Capall Dorcha, Kenny Boyd said: “As chair of Capall Dorcha Theatre Company, I wish to thank Barry for his commitment and hard work within his role supporting the arts in North Ayrshire to date.

“In four years the organisation has had over 10,000 participants from Ensemble classes and professional development workshops to the produced ‘Night of Broadway’ productions that toured the west of Scotland.

“This work has become transformational to the area.”