Pauline Quirke Academy to hold free event at Dartford school

Do you have youngsters with a burning desire to perform?

Actress Pauline Quirke is setting up her latest weekend performing arts school in Dartford and is holding a free open day this weekend for interested youngsters.

The academy, which the Birds of A Feather actress set-up 10 years ago is launching its latest venture at the Longfield Academy, to teach four to 18-year-olds.

The actress said: “When we opened our first academy in 2007 our mission was simply to provide the very best performing arts education. We've grown a lot since then, but that mission hasn't changed.

"By working with people we believe are outstanding in their field, we aim to bring the widest, most exciting experience to our students in an environment that is both friendly and rewarding.”

Students will be taught core modules in Comedy & Drama, Musical Theatre and Film and Television where a comprehensive range of skills, say staff, will be useful for everyday life and not just a career in the performing arts industry.

There will also be masterclasses in more specialist areas like stage combat, beat boxing, street dance and magic.

As well as many in-house productions and showcases PQA students have the chance to see their short film projects on the big screen of their local cinema, where they get to walk down the red-carpet like Hollywood stars while a PQA show takes place in the West End every year when different academies join together to create a spectacle at Her Majesty’s Theatre – home of The Phantom of the Opera.

Outside of these events, students progress is continually monitored, says the academy, and exams can be taken through Trinity College London at no additional charge to parents.

The new performing arts school is holding its free open day this Saturday, April 16, from 9.45am until 1pm at Longfield Academy, Main Road, Longfield, Kent, DA3 7PH.

For more information please visit the website or call 0800 531 6282.