Budding theatrical stars will take to the stage this week to help those who are unable to explore their love of the performing arts.

The students of Berkeley Institute are staging the play, `Ma Barker's Tonic', to raise funds for fellow students who cannot afford to take private music, dance or drama lessons.

The show was the brain-child of the school's drama teacher Josephine Kattan, who was inspired by the predicament of one of her students.

"We have a lot of talent in the school but a lot of students come from single parent families,'' explained Mrs. Kattan. "I actually got the idea after one student told me in confidence that she was having dance lessons because somebody in the community was paying for them.

"I thought it was a wonderful idea and decided to raise money to help other kids towards pursuing their talents. That is why we are really keen to promote the public attending the play.'' The two-act play will run nightly Friday and Saturday at 7.30 p.m. at the Pembroke high school. On Thursday there will be a special patrons-only performance.

"It's what we call an improvised script,'' explained Mrs. Kattan. "There's an organisation called Maverick Productions which started in the UK in the '80s specifically writing scripts targeted for schools. The author is now in Australia so the script came by e-mail.

"I chose this play because it is quite open so I can pick bits out and mould it to suit my students and their ability. The original script could have been a straight play but I have adapted it to make it an entertaining light comedy.

"We even added singers and dancers.'' Set in a 1920s New York nightclub during Prohibition, the play examines the age-old issue of choosing between walking the moral straight-and-narrow or just having a grand-old time.

"It's a place where all kinds of groups congregate,'' Mrs. Kattan explained.

"You have the Purity League ladies, who are very anti-alcohol and determined to close the club down; you have the Mafia, who are trying to take over the club, and then you have the regular clubgoers.

"There's lots of timely music incorporated into the play, as well as the dances of the day -- the Charleston and Black Bottom,'' she added.

To assemble the 40/50-strong cast, Mrs. Kattan tapped into the skills and talents of the students and faculty resulting in a production that is truly a collaborative effort.

The school's art department created the scenery for the play, 15 teachers helped with the production, the music department worked on the score and the students designed their own choreography with the teachers' assistance.

And the cast, which was selected in December, has poured their heart and soul into the production, rehearsing twice a week since January.

"The kids also rehearse on Saturdays, even though a lot of them have part-time jobs as well,'' Mrs. Kattan noted.

Nishanti Bailey, who plays a nightclub owner, said that although balancing school and the play had been chaotic, it has been a rewarding experience.

"It has been kind of hectic,'' confessed the 15-year-old who also dances in the production. "It is stressful but I am enjoying it though.'' And 16-year-old Shelina Burt, who portrays Ma Baker, added that the students' hard work had paid off with a show that was worthy of the public's support.

"It took a while to understand what the play was about,'' she admitted, "but I think it is worthwhile to come and see it.'' In addition to providing an opportunity to shine in the spotlight, the play has also given many students valuable insight into the behind-the-scenes requirements needed to stage a two-act play.

"I enjoy it very much,'' said 16-year-old Wesley Robinson, a member of the lighting crew. "Basically, I have to know all the angles on the stage and try to get everything in place with what Mrs. Kattan (the drama teacher) wants.

The director tells us what colour gels she wants, she gives us the script and you have to follow that.

"I have a switchboard with six colours,'' he explained. "We have labelled them for which gels are which so that makes it easier for us when the house lights go down.'' Even the audience has a role to play in this two-hour production. Mrs. Kattan said the auditorium would be decorated like a night club, complete with tables and chairs, allowing the audience to interact and be part of the play.

Thursday night has been set aside for a special performance for individual or corporate patrons only. Tickets for Thursday's patrons' night are $40 per person or $250 per table of six and includes a light dinner and non alcoholic drink.

Tickets for Friday and Saturday's performances are $15 adults and $10 students. Tickets are available from the school office.