A GROUP of aspiring young performers are to stage two plays in memory of their classmate who died from cancer.Suffolk Acting Youth (SAY), who come from the Hadleigh area, will perform two of their own plays in a one-off performance at Hintlesham and Chattersham community centre on March 14.

Russell Claydon

A GROUP of aspiring young performers are to stage two plays in memory of their classmate who died from cancer.

Suffolk Acting Youth (SAY), who come from the Hadleigh area, will perform two of their own plays in a one-off performance at Hintlesham and Chattersham community centre on March 14.

All the money from the tickets and a specially organised raffle will go directly into Brendan Oakes Memorial Fund, which was setup by his parents after he died from cancer in 2005.

Six former classmates of Brendan's at Hadleigh High, aged between 16 and 17, decided they wanted to use their enthusiasm for performing arts to help out others who developed cancer at a young age.

Rebecca Baldry, 17, who is currently studying performance studies at Colchester Sixth Form, said: “Brendan was in our year at school and it was a big shock. We really wanted to do something for him and this seemed the perfect way.

“We have not thought of a target but hopefully we can sell the 130 tickets.”

The plays, roughly 45 minutes in length, are entitled “Blind” and “Acute Love”, with the former being the group's GSCE play following six people's lives that become entwined before ending in tragedy. The second play is a light-hearted comedy about the on-off romances of a college student's life.

SAY said they wanted to thank the Hadleigh charity shop which donated £300 towards staging the performance.

Tickets at £4 for adults and £2 for 16s and under - though the content is not suitable for young children - are available before the night by calling Rebecca on 01473 652363.