THE bright lights are beckoning young Middlewich performers interested in joining a children's drama academy.

The acting school, based at Middlewich Community Centre, is looking for new members.

Brian Ormrod, principal of Helen O'Grady's Children's Drama Academy, is encouraging youngsters to join one of the five groups he runs in Cheshire.

The academy, which has branches across Britain, is designed to increase confidence, communicative ability and creative talent.

Brian, a former art teacher and a member of Middlewich's Fulcrum Theatre Group, explained: "An Australian lady started the group about 17 years ago and she made it into a franchise because it was so successful.

"The academy came to Britain about four years ago and there are now nearly 8,000 children taking part at different groups in Britain.

"At Middlewich, I have 27 people in an older group, aged nine to 13, and 13 in a younger group, where the children are aged five to eight.

"We meet every Tuesday after school at Middlewich Community Centre from 4-5pm and the older group come from 5-6pm.

"A large proportion of the classes is drama, some speech and some movement work. We do all sorts of things. It's amazing really."

It is not the academy's aim to produce 'stars' but rather to help all students realise their creative potential.

For this reason parents do not attend classes, as this can inhibit creativity in some students and promote exhibitionism in others.

But mums and dads do have the chance to see the type of work in which their child is participating during group productions at the end of the year.

Before becoming involved with the drama academy full-time, Brian, who lives in Sandbach, was an art teacher. He has worked at schools in Sandbach, Holmes Chapel and Newcastle.

He now has about 160 drama students in five different locations and dedicates all his time to the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy.

Those interested in joining one of Brian's classes for a term of 12 weeks can do so by contacting him on 01270 765586.

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