Amanda studied performing arts at the prestigious Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in London and began her career touring the country as principal actress with a children’s theatre company. After that she toured with Michelle Breeze as singer/dancer in her variety show and then left for the high seas to work for Celebrity Cruises and then the Italia Prima on a world cruise as a dancer/singer.
Amanda’s first West End credit was in Starlight Express in the principal role of Ashley at the Apollo Theatre.
Her next role was in the original cast of Closer to Heaven, written by the Pet Shop Boys at the Arts Theatre where she also understudied the lead.
She then appeared in the original cast of Jus like that at the Garrick Theatre with Jerome Flynn.
Amanda’s other career highlights include:
– Work on various musical shows and charity galas at the Palace Theatre, the Millennium Stadium and Royal Albert Hall
– Performed in a special production of The Lion King produced for a birthday party for the Scandinavian royal family
– Featured in numerous adverts for Archers, Datec.com, Vodafone, Iceland and Abba Just Dance
– A featured Zombie in the film 28 Weeks Later
– Danced for Robbie Williams on Top of the Pops and for the video of his tour
– Danced and skated for Madonna on her Sorry music video
– Performed on various television shows including The Word, Pebble Mill and Graham Norton
Amanda also formed and runs Muse Artists, a succesful events company providing entertainment for prestigious events like film premieres, perfume launches and huge events at the National History Museum, Hampton Court, the Wallis Collection, Madame Tussauds, and supplied the entertainment for England’s biggest corporate Christmas party company.
Now she runs her own school, All Stars Academy, and she has recently helped coach skaters for the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony, in which she will also be performing.
She does all this while also looking after her two children!
James began dancing at Sharon Berry School of Theatre dance a couple of weeks before his 13th birthday after being told at school he would need the three disciplines of dance, singing and drama to fulfill his dream of performing in the West End. It was Mrs Berry’s idea that he should go for his first audition to London for the new musical Billy Elliot. After successfully beating 3,000 other candidates, James became one of the three original Billy Elliots to play the part in the West End’s Victoria Palace Theatre. He was involved in the development of the role of Billy from the very beginning, and contributed to the success of the show with critically acclaimed performances in acting, singing and dancing. The show opened on 31 March 2005. In that year, he won the Variety Club’s Outstanding New Talent Award and also the Theatre Goers’ Choice of Most Promising New Comer. He also jointly won the prestigious Sir Laurence Olivier Award in 2006 for Best Actor in a Musical.
Berry Academy of Dance 