IN a debut performance by Footprint Theatre Company, former Altrincham Grammar School girl, Elin Schofield, 22, is directing Daniel at the Royal Exchange Theatre.

Elin was thrilled to win a commendation for directing when the show was presented at the National Student Drama Festival where it also won the Judge’s award for Creative Collaboration.

During school and at Sheffield University, she directed, performed in, choreographed and helped technically with many productions

Along with Matilda Reith and Yasmin Williams, who she met at Sheffield, she co-founded the Footprint Theatre Company in 2014.

Daniel is about the effect on family and friends when someone is imprisoned for possessing indecent images of children.

The script has been devised by the four cast members with each of them taking responsibility for their own words.

Elin said: “At times it was a difficult subject to direct. During the research process we looked at harrowing articles and stories. The themes that the play deals with are not easy.

“In our production, 18-year-old Daniel’s crime has affected the lives of his friends and family in so many ways. It has changed his mother’s life.

“She feels she can no longer leave the house because people have vandalised her property and she hears them talking about her in the street.”

Elin believes that working with others on a production creates a great bond.

“There is something magical (and terrifying) when your play opens in front of an audience for the first time.”

* Daniel is at the Royal Exchange’s Studio Theatre on Wednesday, March 22. For tickets, telephone 0161 833 9833.