Who we are & what we do

They say from tiny acorns large oak trees grow and nothing better demonstrates that than Viva Arts and Community Group. Established in 1997 by Daniel Schumann, Viva began life as a small youth theatre run by a team of volunteers. Its first performance, ‘Bugsy Malone’, was played to an audience of 400.

But Viva grew and grew with more children joining and grander, more ambitious productions and charity status followed. It now stages at least two major productions a year playing to audiences of up to 1000 and for the past five years has taken shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – many of which have received five stars. And the awards keep coming, the latest being the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – The MBE for Voluntary Groups.

An adult theatre group was established in 2007 – also an award winner – performing classics such as ‘Hobson’s Choice’ and ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. Today it has 30 members who perform at least two productions a year.

And Viva has branched out into other areas as well such as after school drama clubs and accredited arts training such as LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) and the Arts Award.

In 2008 it purchased its own premises, a converted Methodist Chapel in Churchgate Street, Soham, where it continued to run its successful charity shop and latterly a café in 2011 which generate core funds for outreach and performance work. Without a doubt, Viva’s roots are firmly planted in the local community and it continues to flourish.