AB Academy Theatre School

The Academy was originally conceived in 1965 as a centre of Excellence for music, with the choir performing nationally on television and radio.

From these early beginnings grew the Saturday Stage School with part time evening classes offering the foundations within Drama and Music. Along with traditional GCSE's, A Levels, LAMDA, and Trinity Examinations. The Academy decided to offer full time courses in September 2000, with the first class of graduates gaining places at the top drama schools in the country: RADA, Drama Centre, Bristol Old VIc, Mountview .

The aim of the Academy has always been to provide a thorough education and training. Pupils are nurtured by a staff of enthusiastic professional experts. Through the mixture of performance work, class and workshop study, along with individual tuition, we aim to provide all our students with the comprehensive package to equip them for working in the broader theatre industry. The Academy works to the principle that its students are aware of most jobs that are available in a working theatre and are familiar with the many opportunities available.

The course was designed to follow the programme similar to that of Drama Schools to establish the self discipline required for the theatre. Students are treated as individuals and helped with any concerns that may arise.

The Academy also has its own Agency, located within the main building, and our students are put forward for professional work during their course.

The Academy has continued to grow and flourish since 1965, and we look on with pride at the many students who have gained places at RADA. LAMDA, Guildford Conservatoire, Bristol Old Vic, RNCM, RSAMD, Guildhall,Cumbria Institute of the Arts, QMC, Bretton Hall, Middlesex, York St John.

The Alicia Bardsley Singers consists of a Youth Choir ages ranging from 5 Years to 16 Years and SATB Ensemble group.

The Choir has been in existence for forty five years and is one of the most outstanding youth choirs in England, with many concerts in aid of charity.

The choir has been very successful in competitions: quarter finalists in Sainsbury's Choir of the year 1988, semi finalists in the National Choral Competition 1989, winners of Outstanding Performance Award in the National Festival for Youth 1989 in the Royal Festival Hall. Performers in the last night of the school proms in the Royal Albert Hall and also performers in the Northern School Proms in Bradford. We were chosen to represent England in the Aberdeen International Festival.

The Choir has made T.V appearances and their recording has been played on both Cologne and Paris broadcasting services.

The choir was part of the Queens Jubilee celebrations in London, accompanying her down the Mall and we recorded a song entry in the Olympic bid in 2000.

The Choir also toured La Rochelle in France and were invited to Beziers, Stockport twin town, the Rhine Germany (2) Wales, Singapore and Australia.

Many past members have gone on to follow a musical career, making their name in operatic repertoire.