DEAF children are being given the opportunity to “play it by ear” as part of a new drama group which held its first performance last week.

Play it By Ear youth theatre group, which meets at Bury Deaf Society, launched in January with two members and now is attended by eight youngsters aged seven to 14.

The group was founded by Wythenshawe volunteer Paul Brownsell whose son Max, aged three in September, is profoundly deaf.

The 25-minute production Little Oddington’s Village, which depicts a village of strange and silly characters, was devised and written by the young members.

Paul said: “Our aim is to give deaf children the opportunity to get involved in our drama workshops, which lead to productions.We also like to be involved in the integration of hearing and deaf children – all our children have gained confidence and the workshops have raised their self-esteem.

“The bond between the children and their integration is fantastic – they are eight friends together now.”

Play it By Ear was conceived after Paul met Martyn Brown, Bury Deaf Society’s director, at a National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) fun day in Halifax.

Paul launched Wythenshawe theatre company On Ya Bike, the subject of a BBC documentary in 2011, 13 years ago.

‘Little Oddington’s Village’ is the group’s first show and was performed for an audience of family, friends and representatives from the NDCS.

Paul added: “One of our goals is to involve the community in writing and creating our own work, and perform it at the Met theatre in Bury.

“This is about children, especially deaf children, being given the opportunity to participate rather than thinking ‘I wish I could have a go at that’.

“With Play it By Ear, they can.”

Hazel Badjie, North West regional director for the NDCS, said she had been very excited to attend Play it By Ear’s first performance.

She said: “This is the first of its kind in Bury in my five years of working at the NDCS.

“It is important deaf children and young people are given the same opportunities as other children.

“With the right support deaf children and young people can achieve anything their hearing peers can.”

Both deaf and hearing children are welcome to attend the free group, which meets on Tuesdays from 6pm to 7.30pm at the Bury Deaf Society centre on Tenterden Street.

For more information about Play it By Ear: call Bury Deaf Society on 0161 763 4882.