Testimonals from past Shoestring Members

Matt Hargreaves

Shoestring has been a huge part of my life for the last few years and it's one of the reasons I am going to University to study further in the arts. Not only have I met some amazing people over the years, and made great friends along the way but it increased my confidence. I joined in 2016, I was small and scared at the time, and in the very first pantomime I performed, I had a panic attack in the changing rooms because it was the first time I had to perform in front of a big audience (and I also had to sing which i hated!) 

However, the support from all the members at Shoestring got me through it. I went from a nervous wreck to a confident actor and recently played the Villainous Captain Hook, which meant I had another solo song - and a Queen song at that! But now I enjoy singing, definitely an improvement! 

To anyone wondering if you should join or not, seriously just do it! Because you'll regret it if you don't. It may seem really scary at first but Shoestring makes you flourish as a person and I wouldn't be where I am today without it. 

Matt is leaving us to study Drama and Film at Cambridge University but has promised us he'll return one day!