A GLASGOW charity supporting those with disabilities is gearing up for a musical performance with a service user at the helm.

Mainstay Trust, who are based in Govan, run a drama group for its service users and have are now organising their third production.

But tomorrow performance of Oliver, which will be held at Langside College, could be the first performance in the city directed and acted by those with learning difficulties.

Started by Mainstay staff member Andrea Savage, the charity hope Thursday’s show could inspire others with disabilities to take a step into acting.

She said: “We’re hoping to be the leading organisation on this kind of project.

“We’ve put a lot of work into this and the families see the difference, we’re all just so proud of everyone.

“Day to day it’s building up everyone’s confidence and enthusiasm, and it’s making huge improvements to movement as well.”

The man in the director’s chair this week is 20-year-old Dale Robinson, who, as well as being a service user at Mainstay, has an acting background from groups at the Citizen’s Theatre.

Having not been involved in the group’s previous shows, Grease and Mamma Mia, he is extremely excited to show how capable the group of actors are.

Dale added: “It hasn’t been a lot of pressure, everyone is working really hard. We’ve picked it up really quick.

“I’m really excited but I’ve loved doing this.

The project comes after a successful partnership with Glasgow Clyde College which brought acting students in on a weekly basis to write and produce the shows.

The unique venture, never before done in Glasgow, has given many students professional opportunities early in their careers.

Thanks to this work, Mainstay’s group now have the chance to perform in front of crowds of up to 150.

Nicole Flynn, 20, along with fellow producer Kerry Williams, have been writing scripts for the group for over a year.

Now studying acting at Queen Margaret University, Nicole’s work at Mainstay has inspired her to pursue a career working in the third sector.

She said: “We’re constantly seeing improvement with everyone. We’d love to open this up to more organisations like this.

“This completely changes your perspective and now I’m hoping to do this as a job.”