Curtains up on theatre school (From Barry And District News)

Curtains up on theatre school

A BARRY entertainer is gearing up for the biggest performance of her life.

Multi-talented Anita Hodgkinson is setting up her own theatre arts school.

Anita, who is well-known in the town for her work with Billboard Ensemble, hopes her long history of dance and drama will prepare her for the challenge ahead.

And she can't wait to get started on her theatre school.

She said: "I started dancing at nine-years-old. By 12 I had won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dancing, which I held for three years.

"After that, I trained in the Bush Davies College in Sussex before heading off to Italy and Portugal to dance professionally."

The 38-year-old, who lives with her electrician husband Harry in Station Street, came home to Barry when she was 22 and immediately became involved in local drama companies. She is dedicated to her art and her daughters are also following in their mum's footsteps.

Charlotte, 14, and Zoe, six, already study ballet and amateur dramatics.

Anita helps tutor the Penarth Operatic Society and Billboard Ensemble, but now she wants to try it out for herself.

She said: "I love dancing, singing and drama and I'm going to combine the three into one lesson."

Classes at Anita's Theatre School will run from 2pm to 5pm on Saturdays, in Windsor Road Church and are open to boys and girls between six and 17.

She added: "I've been everywhere and taught for everybody. Now I want to do it for myself.

"The classes will be close-knit. Places will be limited to between 18 and 20 because I want my students to have the full benefits of my experience."

Enrolment is on January 11, in Windsor Road Church, between 2pm and 3pm. Call Anita on 01446 730656.