The next generation of theatre stars are back on a stage


After maintaining weekly sessions online for the last four months, Kindred Drama, thanks to exhaustive planning and by strictly adhering to government guidelines have been running their socially distanced Summer School - a fixture at the theatre on the Embankment for more than 20 years.

Paul Collings, Director of Kindred, said: “The amount of planning that has been done in order to make this year’s Summer School happen is like nothing we have ever undertaken before, but it has been worth every bit of the effort to see the children interacting with their friends - in a COVID safe manner of course.

“ We are so grateful to Jag Singh and the Key team for their support in staging this year’s event and the feedback and positive messages we have received from parents thanking us for allowing their children to experience some form of normality after the last few months have been overwhelming.”

It will be a similar story across the city centre at New Theatre in Broadway later this month.

The New Theatre Academy are getting ready for their own week of theatrical fun this summer.

Throughout the week children will work towards a performance, while taking part in an exciting mix of musical theatre classes with guest tutors - West End performers.

Theatre director, Richie Ross, realises the benefit of young people attending and said: “To be able to open our doors to our first summer school in these challenging times is amazing news. It will be great to bring some life back into the theatre, a place of fun and enjoyment and creativity.

“We’ve worked extremely hard to ensure a safe environment for everyone who attends and I’m really excited that we get to work alongside TOP Theatre Productions, nurturing and developing arts skills in a fun and exciting way.”

The summer school runs from August 17 to 21, 9.30am – 4.30pm with the option to drop off from 8.45am and collect by 5pm.

For more information and to book your place visit www.newtheatreacademy.com/summerschool

l Down ther road in Stamford, the annual summer festival of workshops at Tolethorpe Hall has unfortunately had to be postponed along with the Stamford Shakespeare Company’s summer season of shows, but the company has just announced an online summer arts festival which started this week and runs until August 15.

There is an impressive ine-up of guests for the festival, which will be a mixture of master classes and workshops led by top professionals from the world of the performing arts and specifically designed for Tolethorpe Youth Drama!

Covering musical theatre, film and TV, comedy, dance, circus skills and voiceover work, plus many more, the team are bringing you exciting opportunities to explore and learn from the most amazing guests.

Details of dates and times are available at www.tolethorpeyouthdrama.co.uk/summer-drama-workshops-2020