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Dance and drama school shares 25 years of Magical Memories

A dance and drama academy which has produced performers who have appeared on stages across the world is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

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The Livingston Academy, which teaches dance, music and drama, was set up by dance teachers Debbie Morgan and Georgina Rowley in 1988.

Established in Darlaston, the academy moved to its current home on Holyhead Road in Wednesbury in 1996, after increasing business led to a need for new premises.

Around 350 people, mainly youngsters but also some adults, are currently on the books at the academy, but the number of people who have been through the doors since it was set up cannot be estimated. and former students have performed around the world – with one former pupil currently appearing in Cats in London's West End. including in London's West End, where one student is currently appearing in Cats. Others have gone on to teach dance and drama or set up their own academies. Debbie said: "We teach ballet, tap, modern, jazz, all the theatre subjects – singing, speech, drama and all-round performance.

"The majority of people who come here are local to the area, but we have students from quite far away as well – we've had girls from as far as Nottingham come to us, so some really do travel."

The 25th anniversary was actually last year, when the students began rehearsing for a new show Magical Memories. The show was put on at the Prince of Wales Theatre in Cannock last month, with a host of invited guests including former students. Debbie added: "That's been the main celebratory thing really, we always do dance competitions, and we held a dance festival at Christmas, but the show in April rounded it off,

"Our aim when we started out was always to have everything that children need under one roof, everything they need to do the theatre arts, and we have achieved that."

If anyone would like to inquire about the Academy, call Debbie on For details of the academy call 07976 880608., or see www.livingstonacademy.co.uk

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