PERFORMANCES of a play written by talented John Masefield student Caitlin Ronan, who died last year, will help others to pursue the professional stage and film career she set her sights on.

Caitlin, who was 17 when she died last November, completed her play "Gone But Not Forgotten" last summer, as part of her drama studies at the high school.

There was a premiere performance last Friday at Wellington Heath's Memorial Hall, and another performance will take place in May, at the John Masefield High School itself.

Proceeds will go to a charity dear to Caitlin's heart, The Graeae Theatre Company, which helps to train disabled people for careers on the professional stage.

It was a career path that Caitlin, who was bed-bound at the time of her death, had mapped out for herself.

But her mum Louise said: "Caitlin would have been happy to help other people to get on stage. The play she wrote is a who-dunnit, set at a girl's boarding school, and people said you could hear Caitlin's voice through the dialogue.

"It was an emotional but enjoyable evening."

Mrs Ronan added that preparing for last week's production at Wellington Heath had helped to keep her "sane and connected to Caitlin" over the past few months.

She said: "Caitlin would have wanted her play to be put on and she would have wanted everyone to have heard her and her friends performing. Every step of the way I heard Caitlin bossing me about and telling me what to do."

Caitlin was bed-bound because her back had effectively collapsed twice and immunoglobulin treatment, steroids and plasma exchange treatment had failed to stop the progression of her condition, which is called chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

But in 2015, Caitlin launched a fund-raising drive to provide a high-tech "Eye Gaze" system not only for herself but for others, and in this she succeeded admirably, having raised almost £33,000 by the time of her death.

This sum is enough for five "Eye Gaze" systems, which are made by the Malvern-based company, Smartbox, and which allow users to access the computer and television and send private phone calls and text messages from a bed, even if users can no longer use their arms and legs.

And the fund-raising continues in Caitlin's name, and this time for a theatre company which describes itself as "a force for change in world-class theatre, boldly placing deaf and disabled actors centre stage and challenging preconceptions".

Caitlin's one act play was written during her drama lessons with peripatetic drama teacher, Pippa Henry.

The show was also a musical celebration of Caitlin, who had a fine singing voice, and recordings of her singing were played.

Mrs Ronan added: "There were also performances from her friends and the John Masefield High School Chamber Choir."

One of Caitlin's carers, Caroline Green, has written and illustrated 'Caitlin and Misty - A Tale of Comfort and Friendship' about the teenager's special bond with her cat.

Mrs Ronan said: "Caroline read her poem beautifully at the performance and gave us an insight into why she wrote the book. The illustrations of Caitlin and Misty are gorgeous and copies are available to buy from us.

"The cost is £6 and all profits after covering the printing costs will be given to the Graeae Theatre Company."

She added: "We put on the show last week in particular to say a huge thank you to all of Caitlin’s carers and teachers and medical professionals and also to show them Caitlin's dramatic and musical talents which they heard so much about.

"As I was unable to invite the majority of our friends we are therefore putting on a second performance to be held on Thursday May 4 at John Masefield High School, at 7pm.

Already £6400 has been raised for The Graeae Theatre Company, and the show will boost the total even more.

Tickets are available now at:

http://www.positickets.com/e ventdetails.php?EventID=2488#. WNJgn7FFC1u