Tag: Sheffield

Matthew Croke



I started dancing in 1992 at the Maureen Law School of Dance when I was five, and when I was 14 I came to Mrs Berry’s with Devon. I have loads of dancing memories but my favourites have to be English Tap Championships at Manchester with ‘Messy Bessy’ in 2003, and also dancing at the IDTA Teachers’ Congress at Southport with Linzi Thompson. I was also lucky enough to win Dance Master UK aged 15, dancing to ‘New York State of Mind’ by Billy Joel. 

Private lessons were always a stressful business, and so Mrs Berry kept me calm and chilled by taking me to McDonald’s afterwards! The most gruelling part of my life was the preparation for my tap exam with Miss Rebecca. The only way I can describe it is torture, and I still have nightmares about it now!    



When I was 16 I attended Laine Theatre Arts College where I trained for my National Diploma in Musical Theatre. I met some great friends at college and had some brilliant experiences dancing at the Royal Variety Performance in 2005 for Shirley Bassey and Missy Elliot. I also performed on ITV’s Discomania, Abbamania, Elvismania and Madonnamania, and graduated aged 19 in 2007. 

 Straight from college I went on to dance in Grease at the Picadilly Theatre for a year. After this I danced in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria for a year, Shall We Dance for Adam Cooper at Sadler’s Wells for three months and then Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at Manchester at the Lowry Theatre.

From 2010 for nearly two years, I performed in Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre, and from February 2012 to June 2013 I performed in Singin’ in the Rain at the Palace Theatre. 

 Between September 2013 and September 2014 I appeared in the national UK tour of West Side Story as a Jet. This was an amazing experience because I got to dance alongside my childhood friend and former Berry school pupil, Devon, who played a Shark. 

 Since October 2014 I have rejoined the cast of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria and I am enjoying every moment! I am especially delighted to be understudying the character of Fiyero, and was thrilled to spot Mrs B in the audience cheering me on when I played him. 

 I still love coming back to Mrs Berry’s when I can, teaching the pupils a routine from the West End or appearing on the show itself as I have done for the past four times. They just can’t keep me away!



Matt as Fiyero in Wicked, at the Apollo Victoria, London


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And they’re off!

Guest Reporter: Gemma Mitchell

Friday 27th February saw the latest in our series of fundraising events with a family race night. Team Berry did us proud and a great night was had by all. We would like to thank the many local businesses who sponsored us:

Race 1 – Daisy Chain private day care

Race 2 – Butterfly Wings Dancewear

Race 3 – P Ridal Engineering

Race 4 – Malin Bridge Sports and Social Club

Race 5 – Helens of Hillsborough

Race 6 – Smithy Garage

Race 7 – Butterfly Beauty and Nails

Race 8, (last but by no means least) was sponsored by Sharon Berry School of Theatre Dance.

2015 02 28 Race night 2
Eyes down, look in…

Family and friends then sponsored each horse in the race and the winners received a box of chocolates and a bag of sweets. We started with races 1 to 3 as we all queued to place our bets and then cheered on our chosen horses. There was a quick break for delicious pie and peas provided by Stanwood Friery with plenty of Henderson’s Relish then we moved on to races 4 & 5. Time now for a couple of games organised (in a very teacher-like manner) by myself. First, one for the adults: ‘heads or tails’. Everyone stood up and placed their hands on their head or their bottom and a coin was flipped. If they guessed wrong they were out. After four rounds we were down to Mrs Berry’s best friend Vicki and former Berry Babe Linzi Thompson with the prize being the choice of a signed SWFC or SUFC shirt. Linzi won and opted for the United shirt.

Victorious Blade Linzi with her prize
Victorious Blade Linzi with her prize

Next it was the kids turn with bingo and the chance to win another fantastic prize of an iPod shuffle. All children had a single bingo ticket and if their number was called they had to sit down, and last person standing was the winner. Another tense finale as we went down to just two – Alfie Wright and Sophie Waterfall, with Sophie victorious. Two more races and then it was time for the auction race. Some very competitive bidding with Jerry Bridger bravely taking on Mrs Berry, I think we all know who won that one!!

2015 02 28 Race night 1
Sophie, proud new owner of an iPod shuffle with her friends

We would like to thank all who attended, sponsored and participated in the games. A huge well done to you for helping us to raise another brilliant amount of money.

Sharon Berry School would also like to thank Gemma and the rest of the fundraising team for organising yet another fantastic event.

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Fundraising Frenzy

In September we launched our Fundraising Committee, made up of parents of the school and staff members, who have been working tirelessly to raise money for the school for the subsidy of show costumes and a trip to Disneyland Paris in summer 2015 where 30 pupils will travel to perform there. 

Through many clever initiatives, ranging from collecting 20 pence pieces in Smartie tubes to a Weekly Bonus Ball we are very proud to report a rather fruitful four months from the Fundraising Committee!

A Bonfire Party held by the Jackson family at Greenhead Housefarm helped begin the fundraising, we had a great time with special visitor Mr Claus at our Children’s Christmas Disco and we also enjoyed a fantastic Christmas Craft Event. Many of you attended our Christmas Concert, with over 220 adult tickets sold (and over 250 people squeezed into St Thomas More Community Centre). To round it off there was what Miss Marie has described as “the best hour of my life”, carol singing at Parson Cross Asda. Our pupils, staff and parents gave shoppers some musical cheer and the festive mood helped raise lots of money from the very generous people who passed by.

2015 01 Scholarship Noms


These events are only the highlights of course, and with lots of different scale projects, our Fundraising Committee has raised a fantastic amount of money so far. Corporate sponsorship has also been secured from Crucible Homes and Lettings, who will be providing the kit for the pupils travelling to Disneyland Paris.

The committee met last Saturday, and they have lots planned for 2015. Watch out for events, including a race night planned for the end of February. 

Congratulations to the Committee leaders Andrea, Gemma, Charise and Lindsay and the rest of the Fundraising Committee, what a way to start! A huge thank you to parents, staff and friends of the school who are supporting us in our activities, either through donating raffle prizes or attending our events. Your time and generosity are greatly appreciated and will help us to provide a more affordable dance experience for each pupil.

We can’t wait to see what happens next… onwards and upwards!

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