PICTURED: Wolverhampton Central Youth Theatre in mammoth move
Hate moving house? Count yourself lucky you were not one of the committed staff and volunteers given the task to move more than 10,000 costumes and props from Wolverhampton's Youth Theatre.
It took 150 car trips for the theatre group to uproot its whole wardrobe from a former antiques market in Salop Street to its new temporary home at Stow Heath Community Centre.
The costumes and props will stay there for around 18 months before moving to a permanent home at the former O'Neill's bar on Lichfield Street.
The move was made possible after the theatre secured a £384,000 grant from the Arts Council to help fund its future home opposite the Grand Theatre.
With the help of volunteers, the group managed to move the costumes, as well as props, hats and shoes in just six days.
The costumes are part of The Actors Wardrobe which is a joint-enterprise with the Central Youth Theatre, which hires out costumes to other theatre groups.
Holly Parry, assistant director for the Central Youth Theatre, said: "We had the deadline to be out of the Arts Market by mid March, but being as its half term we know we could get the children and parents along to help us out.
"We did three days this week, and three days last week and it took around 150 car trips to get all of the wardrobe moved over.
"It's good that it's all moved across and we can carry on business as usual, we couldn't just put it in storage as we need the costumes to be accessible so we can hire them out.
"It doesn't soften the blow knowing we will have to move it all again, but at least next time it will be to a permanent home."
