Matt Flies to Agrabah

Matthew Croke

We’re thrilled to say that former pupil Matthew Croke has landed the lead role in Disney Theatrical Production‘s Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End!

Matt will join the current cast and star as Aladdin himself opposite former Sugababe Jade Ewan as Jasmine and Trevor Dion Thomas playing the Genie. This immensely popular magical musical opened last June 2016 and Matthew will take on the role on 5th June.

2017.03.28 Aladdin

In addition to his professional musical theatre career, Matt has been a part-time teacher at the Berry Academy of Dance, bringing new skills, choreography, and his experience to benefit our pupils. We couldn’t be prouder of his achievements and we cannot wait to see him taking up his harem trousers and magic carpet very soon!

If you’d like to find out more about Matt, please click here.

To read more about the cast changes afoot at Aladdin, please click here.

Amanda Constantinou

amanda constantinou

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!

Frankie Goes To London

Last Saturday evening with a mixture of happiness and sadness, we joined our pupil Frankie Beetlestone and his family and friends for his leaving party. Frankie, 14, has been offered a place at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London. The school for performing arts boasts former pupils such as Denise Van Outen, Rita Ora, Tom Fletcher and Billie Piper.

Frankie will start his new school on Monday 20th April, and although he hasn’t been with us for too long (since autumn 2014), we have loved teaching him, developing his skills and supporting him through the application process. We wish him all the best, our loss is their gain!

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Images courtesy of Jan. C. Photography.