Performers mark Telford theatre group's 25th year
More than 100 young performers will be continuing a 25-year tradition when they step out at a Shropshire theatre this weekend.
The Carmichael School of Theatre Arts has grown into one of Shropshire's biggest performing arts centres in the 25 years since a 22-year-old Nicola Carmichael-Phillips first bought a small dance school in Dawley in 1987.
She had originally intended to be in the county only for as long as it took to complete an extra qualification but, 25 years on, she is still running the organisation and still branching out.
At the end of last year she took over the Shropshire Dance business when teacher Sally Wellings retired, so the school now offers classes in Shrewsbury and Wem as well as from its base in a converted tyre depot in Oakengates.
On Saturday and Sunday, more than 100 students will take to the stage at Oakengates Theatre @ The Place – almost exactly a quarter of a century after the first show, in the same theatre, on March 31, 1988.
Mrs Carmichael-Phillips, who runs the school with her husband Mark Phillips, said: "The first act is the classical ballet Sleeping Beauty, which will include dancers aged from two to 20, before we move on to songs from shows like Wicked and Legally Blonde.
"The final act is a selection of tap and modern dances, with styles ranging from the Charleston to contemporary with everything in between."
The show is also testament to the school's role in training the next generation of teachers.
All of the teachers who have choreographed routines were trained as both dancers and teachers by Mrs Carmichael-Phillips, including Laura Wilson, who was a dancer in the very first show in 1988, and Laura Houlston, who has been at the school since she was three.
The latest qualified teacher to join the choreography ranks is Mrs Carmichael-Phillips' eldest daughter Olivia, 20, who performs with the senior dancers and has choreographed a futuristic routine with ultra-violet effects. Shows take place at Oakengates Theatre at 2pm and 6pm on Saturday and 11am and 3pm on Sunday. Tickets cost £13 from the box office on (01952) 382382 – the show is raising money for Ronald McDonald House at Birmingham Children's Hospital.
