A new stage school has been set up for children from ethnic minorities and deprived backgrounds.

Josie Flavius and Diana Joseph have launched JD Productions, which is geared towards talented young people from Bradford who are black, Asian or underprivileged.

And the curtain is up on their first show, 'A Night of Changes', to run from September 16-18 at the Alhambra Studio.

Josie, 32, and Diana, 28, started the group 12 weeks ago, with rehearsals taking place at the YMCA in Dorset Street, Bradford, and the Bradford Foyer in Manchester Road.

The idea for JD Productions came after Josie realised fees at some stage schools might be beyond the reach of many parents. She paid £80 for her

10-year-old daughter Nykita to attend a stage school which was putting on a show at Bingley Arts Centre.

"The fees are just too high for a lot of single parents or families from council estates," said Josie, who works as a support youth worker.

"When my daughter went to stage school there were also only two black kids there. You never have a black Oliver or a black Annie, so we thought we would do something about it."

Eighteen children aged between seven and 15 are in JD Productions' debut show. It has songs from shows such as 'Oklahoma' and 'Porgy and Bess' as well as modern pieces like 'Thriller' and 'Flashdance'.

Free use of the two rehearsal venues means JD is able to charge no fees. The Bradford-based African Caribbean Economic Establishment has helped find sponsorship to pay for the hire of the Alhambra Studio.

Josie and Diana are now looking for permanent premises and for more sponsors. Anyone interested can contact JD Productions on (0498) 915817.

Call the same number for tickets for 'A Night of Changes' - £4 for adults, £3.50 for the unwaged and £2.50 for children. Family tickets for two adults and two children are £10.

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