StagedRight has joined a national campaign to support boys who are interested in theatre and performing arts.

It joins a nationwide outpouring of support from West End performers for Charlie, a nine-year-old boy from Reading, who was bullied for enjoying musicals and performing.

Nathan Yielder, a member of StagedRight in Carlisle, said: “I think the #CheerUpCharlie campaign is a great way to get the message across that musicals really can have a huge positive effect on boys.”

StagedRight has also joined those trying to #CheerUpCharlie by celebrating the boys who join theatre.

David McNeill, managing director of StagedRight, said: “A lot of boys still want to do the arts but they’re often seen as being the odd one out.

“What we’ve found is that the boys who have a true dedication to it, they play football, they do all the sports, and they do the performing side of it.”

Adam Cuninghame, a member of StagedRight, struggled with bullying when he was younger.

But, getting involved in the performing arts purely on a whim, led to him feeling welcomed and accepted.

He auditioned for a role in his school’s performance of Beauty and the Beast and wound up cast in the role of Lumiere alongside kindred spirits.

Adam said: “These were a group of people brought together by their love of music, acting, singing and performing in general.

“We became a family.”

This sense of family and belonging was echoed by Charlie’s music teacher who began an online campaign to cheer him up and the entire community rallied behind him.

Stars such as Michael Ball, Pixie Lott, the cast of Annie, Faye Tozer, Michael Jibson, the cast of Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat and Michael Xavier are just some of the names who sent him messages of support.

“The theatre world is much more than just a group of selfish, showy, attention hogs,” said Adam.

“It is one, huge, amazing, if slightly flashy, family, and there is no other way to describe it.”

Theatre is often thought of as a girly passion, which leads to boys being judged quite harshly by their classmates for getting involved.

Nathan continued: “Boys especially should not be scared to do drama just because the other boys don’t think it’s “cool”, because it’s a great experience and opens many opportunities later on in life.”

The rising popularity of male-oriented productions such as Hamilton is driving more men to the art.

“It was always classed as effeminate, in the old days they would put lots of stage make-up on but it’s changed business now,” explained David.

“The demands on actors and male dancers are so demanding now that it can only be considered a manly thing.

Adam echoed this: “In this age of equality, it is incredible some boys are being ridiculed for being inclined to perform.”

The American rapper common introduced Hamilton during the 70th Annual Tony Awards by describing the cultural impact the musical had on the theatre industry.

He said: “It’s become a cultural phenomenon... ingenious rhymes and contemporary beats have inspired young and old to come to Broadway.”

TV shows such as X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, and The Voice are also playing a large role in reducing the stigma surrounding boys in theatre.

David believes these programmes amplify their voices to make theatre and performing cooler.

“Our own Matthew Pagan won with Collabro on Britain’s Got Talent and he’s got a great career now,” he said.

“If only it could be accepted that whatever gender you were, whatever you looked like, you could be free to do what you wanted,” Adam said.

Local theatre groups such as StagedRight and Razzamataz are an entry route into theatre for young people who don’t live in areas with a large or accessible theatre scene.

“I’ve now been at StagedRight for nearly eight years and I have no regrets and I have loved every minute of it,” said Nathan.

They are safe-spaces inhabited by those who are equally as passionate and excited.

David said: “It’s all about giving young people the opportunity to try whatever they want to try, for as long they want to try it - be that singing, dancing, football, karate, flower arranging.

“Just try it, and if that’s what you love, you have to keep going and rise above any criticism you get.”

Adam has a message for boys - and girls - who are feeling lost or different.

“If you are reading this, as a male who struggles with acceptance, maybe you should do what I did,” he said.

“Don’t try and fit in somewhere where you can’t. Fit in somewhere completely different, where everyone is different, and everyone is

accepted.

“In short, try theatre.”