THE excellent Bournemouth Theatre in Education team may be facing the axe but they’re going out doing what they do best – performing drama that excites, educates and has real meaning and purpose.

Their final public performances revisit long-time favourite Surya’s Story – a moving tale of a young Indian girl forced to sew footballs to make a few extra rupees for her struggling family.

Written by BTiE co-director Sharon Muiruri, it is a play full of energy and hope as it opens young eyes to the iniquity of child labour and makes the case for global fair-trade agreements.

Set in Surya’s village in Rajastan, it uses traditional Indian music and dance to tell the story of one child inspired by her own ancient culture to fight greed and exploitation.

Remembering Mahatma Ghandi’s promise that “truth always wins”, she runs away to join the 1998 March Against Child Labour in Geneva.

As well as touring schools in Hampshire and Dorset, Surya’s Story was to have one last public performance at 6.30pm on Thursday, June 18, at Wey Valley School, Weymouth.

But maybe even that won’t be the final curtain. BTiE say that Bournemouth Council may be shutting them down but they are determined to carry on in a freelance capacity.