Beverley Stagecoach theatre arts school has been invited to perform at a red carpet event at The Shaftesbury Theatre in The West End of London. The event – Stagecoach’s Charity Gala – takes place on the evening of Sunday 4th December and has all the glitz and glamour associated with a West End production.
Only a handful of Stagecoach schools from across the UK are chosen to perform at this event every year. Stagecoach Beverley was picked out during their Dance the Dream performance at Disneyland Paris in the summer. The organisers at Disney and Stagecoach Head Office were so impressed by the Beverley children’s performance that they were chosen as the ‘Best Performers’. It was only when the children returned to class after the summer break that they were told the amazing news that they had been invited to perform at one of London’s most prestigious theatres.
Beverley Stagecoach’s Principal, Leander Nejrup, said “Out of around 1000 Stagecoach schools across the country, Beverley is one of six schools that has been invited to perform in London. I am absolutely thrilled! I have been trying for years to get our students down to London but there is a two year waiting list and the numbers are normally limited. For our troop to be ‘invited’ to perform their 60’s medley on a West End stage is fantastic. The children and their teachers, Tracey Hammond and Ben Levy, have worked incredibly hard. I am so proud!”
The Shaftesbury Theatre is the largest independent theatre in the West End and has been presenting high quality, large-scale productions for over a century. It is currently hosting Motown, The Musical and The Nutcracker. During the gala event, the children will be raising money for Breast Cancer Care, the only UK wide charity providing care, information and support to people affected by breast cancer.
Sister students, Izzy and Maddie Rowland, said “We loved performing at Euro Disney and to be invited to perform again at the same theatre as well-known actors and dancers is very exciting. It is so close to Christmas that the atmosphere will be magical. We hope that we do actually get to meet some famous people.”
Their Mum said “I really do not think that the children appreciate what they have achieved. It is a phenomenal accomplishment and the girls seem to be taking it in their stride. I think the gravity of the occasion will hit home once they get on that grand stage.”
The students now have three weeks of arduous rehearsals ahead of them to ensure that they meet the standards expected of them. They will be rehearsing at The Shaftesbury Theatre all afternoon before the main event on the Sunday evening.
Leander also said “It is an invitation only evening with influential individuals from Disney and Stagecoach also attending. I am elated that Beverley Stagecoach are being recognised for their talent, professionalism and hard work. It really has paid off and the children have an amazing reward to look forward to.”
For more information about Breast Cancer Care, please visit the website: www.breastcancercare.org.uk
