A director has shared her hope that a recent production at a theatre embroiled in controversy about hiking its venue hire prices won't be the last one.

Am-dram groups fear they will not be able to afford to perform at The Point in Eastleigh should the plans go ahead - with some saying their future is at stake.

On Thursday to Saturday, twenty members of The Gantry Youth Theatre dazzled crowds with a production of School Daze – a musical extravaganza featuring songs from Matilda and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

The group's director Sophie Chambers said ahead of the show: “We’re so excited and for many of our members – quite a lot of which are children – it will be their first time going on stage and experiencing a theatre like The Point.

“We don’t want it to be their last time. Often, it’s a brilliant way to experience the theatre with West End talent at amateur dramatic prices, it would be such a shame if we lost that going forward as it’s a brilliant platform for performers and also an entry point for the audience too.”

The Point in Eastleigh (Image: Newsquest)

A public consultation is now underway following opposition to the plans that could see the theatre increase prices for the use of its venue to ensure it is financially sustainable.

READ MORE: Public consultation launched over hire prices at The Point

The Gantry Youth Theatre production of School Daze is in collaboration with Southampton Musical Society, who themselves will have 22 members of cast in the musical.

Members of The Gantry Youth Theatre (Image: Supplied) “Without this collaboration, we wouldn’t be able to perform at The Point,” said Sophie.

“The musical society covers the bill and if prices go up, I don’t know how that will affect everyone involved.

“This collaboration is very unique, and we’ve never done anything at The Point before.

“The children have been looking forward to this for months, so we’ll have fun and give the best show we can.”