RABBLE Up

Stage & Screen

Weekly workshops for the whole community

Tuesdays – 6.30 – 8pm

@ Whitley Community Centre (WDCA)

Every Tuesday night, Whitley CDA’s cafe is buzzing with the energy of local people learning about Whitley, building their skills and getting on their feet.

Why not join us?

Thanks to the amazing support of The UK Government Skills Development Fund, Reading Integration Board and Reading Creative Partnerships Fund, anyone can join our weekly sessions! You don’t need any experience, you just need… you.

Every evening session starts with tea and biscuits in the community cafe, followed by a gentle warm up that includes stretching and breathing exercises.

At the start of each term, a local resident who we’ve selected will share their life story. It might be a story that started in another land, it might be one that was born here, in the community.

Over the ensuing 9 weeks, we work with all the participants to figure out how we can amplify this story and share it with a wider audience, perhaps in the form of a short play, a mini film, the product of group writing, or something completely different – so that we can show everyone how incredible the stories that exist here in Whitley are.

At the end of term, the whole community’s invited into the centre to experience what their fellow community members have achieved.

In March of 2025, community members joined the first sharing, which was based on the memories and family history of Trisha and Bob. Featuring Italian PoW’s, a disbanded football team, refugees from Southampton and the local sewing club.

100% of the 20 who came stated that it positively changed their perception of Whitley!

“Excellent. It told a great story of Whitley.”
“I enjoyed the imagination and learned about Whitley. That sense of community is so important these days”
“Lovely, moving, heart-warming. Great to know its history.”

Laughter and fun are at the heart of what we do, so if you’d like to come, then we’d love to hear from you. Just click below to sign up.

Whitley Community Development Association Cafe, Tuesdays, 6.30 – 8pm.
Cost: £2.50 p/w

Book now

Prices

£2.50 per week.

For ages 18+

RABBLE Access Fund

Want to get involved but don't have the funds?

If you are thinking I’d love to experience that, but you need help with some or all of the fees, then why not apply to the RABBLE Access Fund? The aim of the Access Fund is to make sure that everyone can access our work. You may want to send your child to our Saturday School, or you yourself might fancy a term of Get Up On Stage. Perhaps you want your community group or school to come to a production. Whatever it is, you can apply to us and we’ll see if we can help. You can apply for 50% of 100% of the cost of your ticket(s)/fees.

To apply, either send us a video or write us an email, explaining who you are, why you want to attend and a little about your situation. Don’t worry, all your information is completely confidential and the benefactors are never revealed (unless they really want to be).

If you are interested in applying to the fund for all or part of your fees, please state so on your enrolment form. There is no cash equivalent.

“My entire education – school, a year abroad, university and drama school – was funded through bursaries, so it feels pretty amazing to now be involved in a charity that’s enabling others to gain skills and get more involved with the community.” Toby Davies, RABBLE Theatre’s Artistic Director