Express & Star

Apprentice star Jemma prepares for show

Former Apprentice star Jemma Bird is making the final stage preparations ahead of her performing arts group's production of Narnia.

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Pics: Chris Hogg

After weeks of rehearsals, the youngsters are set to perform the sold-out show at the RSA Academy in Tipton at the beginning of July.

The 29-year-old, from Aldridge, appeared on hit BBC show The Apprentice and has since put her business plan into action launching her performing arts company Amplify.

More than 70 students aged between three and 15 at the academy will take part in the performance on July 1 and July 2 – with the Saturday already sold out.

Jemma said: "Its our first production we're doing as a studio. The youngest kid is three and oldest is 15 so its quite a big age group.

"Its our first show so I might be doing this once a year now. Its going to enable the kids to use their skills they've learnt in the studio. The Saturday is completely sold out there's been more demand than I thought which is great.

"We're doing Narnia – its our own take on that. I have basically written my own musical to the story, we've got anything from ballet to musical theatre so I've designed the story to suit the whole cast. I've even written one of the songs myself which is the first one I've done.

"Its all singing, dancing and acting and will be a great show."

Amplify runs classes including tap, ballet and commercial dancing for performers of all ages, from toddlers upwards while theatre sessions are also available.

Jemma reached week five on series 10 of Sir Alan Sugar's show in 2014.

She added: "Amplify is a version of my business plan on The Apprentice - we basically coach performing arts to kids. Our USP is personal development within kids, from my experiences in personal development we want to help them improve their confidence and resilience and all those kind of things.

"Its doing really well. We want to expand. I still need to bring in more children and have got a long way to go in terms of where I want to be but we're getting some really positive results and the kids are enjoying it."