Dancers hopeful of return to Staffordshire's at risk Prince of Wales Theatre

Stephaneta School of Dancing which has studios in Walsall Road in Cannock and in Church Aston near Newport have been performing at the venue for two decades. 

Staff, pupils and parents at the performing arts school which was set up 70 years by Beryl Coggins have been backing a campaign to save the theatre from the axe after site operator Cannock Chase District Council earmarked plans to close it as part of efforts to  plug a £1.3 million financial gap.

Over the weekend young dancers performed fairytale classic Cinderella at its annual show.

Sophia Cintas, a Stephenata dance teacher, said: “This looks like this may be our last show here due to the  situation. It's quite sad because some of our dancers have been dancing on the theatre's stage since they three-years-old and they have remained with us as adults. We have lots of good memories of performing in front of our family and friends at this venue.

“We have sign the petitions and are doing as much we can to try and help to save the theatre."

The show opens with the Cinderella ballet and follows the story of how Prince Charming goes round the world looking for his princess. The show also included tap, acrobatic, lyrical, street dance and freestyle routines. It was performed to an almost sold out show at the Church Street theatre.

Sophia trains the dancers alongside her mother Steph Charles and Eve Adshead.

Her grandmother Beryl Coggins was the founder of the school and her daughter Lyla, aged 14, is now also a dancer at the studios meaning four generations of the family have been involved in dancing.

More than 21,000 people have signed a petition to keep the theatre and the Museum of Cannock Chase open for generations to come.

Talks were underway between the council and groups interested in running the attractions while the full council is due to discuss the situation this month.