CHILDREN at an Oldham musical theatre school have shone in a week of live performances.

Pupils at Amelia Faye's Musical Theatre took to the stage at the Playhouse Theatre 2 in Shaw for four performances of a show titled A Trip to the Musicals.

The show, performed by children aged four to 12 from the school’s three groups, was held on Friday, May 6, Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8, and featured songs from a range of musicals including Rock of Ages, Annie and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

One of the show’s songs was also performed using sign language.

The school’s founder and main teacher Amelia Faye, from Shaw, has been singing and dancing since the age of three and trained at Judith Barker’s Dance Academy at the Saddleworth Drama Centre and later Pendleton Sixth Form College which specialises in the performing arts.

At the age of eight she joined the dancing chorus in pantomimes at the Oldham Coliseum and took part in Christmas shows up until the age of 16.

Amelia then began performing in local amateur shows before launching her dance school aged 19.

Now 27, Amelia has been running the school for nine years and has seen the number of pupils grow from a group of six to 95.

Discussing her decision to launch a school, she said: “I love musical theatre and love teaching children all I know and seeing their confidence grow.

“For me it’s not about who’s the best. If a child is confident enough and wants to have a go at singing and dancing, they can. It’s about having fun not just getting every step right.”

She added: “My nan who sadly passed away last year was a huge influence on why I am doing what I am today. From an early age, she took me to all the different theatres to watch all different types of shows and my love for musical theatre began to grow.

“I always promised my nan that I would perform Joseph for her but unfortunately due to Covid, was unable to. This year was my year to perform Joseph and do it properly by hiring the amazing Joseph coat. I know she will be super proud.”

Amelia has passed on her love of theatre to her daughter Summer aged five who performed in one of the shows.

“To see my little girl in the show was really nice. I cried my eyes out,” Amelia said.

Amelia Faye's Musical Theatre holds classes multiple times a week for four-to-ten-year-olds and children who are 11 plus at Dobcross Band Club in Dobcross and Holy Trinity Church Hall in Shaw. 

For more information visit the Amelia Faye's Musical Theatre Facebook page.