Shipley-BASED Debut Theatre School has grown so

successful over the last three years that it is to expand.

Principals Jacqui Drake and David Kirk have decided to open a second branch, which is to be based at St Chad's Parish Church in Headingley.

The school specialises in teaching youngsters from three to 18 a full range of performing arts, including dance, singing and drama.

In addition, the school also acts as a casting agency for its current 300 students.

Many of them have appeared in popular TV programmes including My Parents Are Aliens, Adams Family Tree, Emmerdale and At Home with the Braithwaites.

The Shipley branch is now overflowing with long waiting lists of students and so the second branch will open with Saturday classes beginning on May 5.

Ms Drake and Mr Kirk are renowned for their work in the theatre, particularly in this area with current productions of Mame at Yeadon Town Hall and Barnum at Guiseley Theatre in June for the Barnstormers Theatre Company.

Both have won national and regional awards for joint productions of Fiddler on the Roof and A Chorus Line.

They have established a reputation for providing quality training within a happy atmosphere and for giving youngsters an excellent grounding in performing arts.

Prospective students aged five to 18 are being invited to attend a free workshop to be held at St Chad's this Saturday from 9.1am to 12.30pm.

This will be taught by the principals with other choreographers and directors.

Parents will have the chance to have a look at work students have undertaken throughout the morning and free enrolment will be offered to youngsters wishing to take up places in class.

For further information, contact Ms Drake on (01274) 532347.