Stagecoach

Cameron Wright`s mum from Yarm PM school sent me this note at the start of term that she kindly said that I could add to the web site.

Caitlin Morrow of Darlington Friday School was nominated by me for a Vibe Award because, together with her mother, she has launched a charity to help other children who suffer with phobias and other mental health issues. They are wanting to buy some books for Darlington`s Mulberry Centre on a range of issues so that children can borrow them to use at home. It will be called Caitlin`s Library and it is hoped that the charity can also support other centres on a national basis eventually. Well done Caitlin. It is always a great thing when you can turn around a personal difficulty and make something worthwhile tohelp other people. We are proud of you and will try and hold some collections for your charity soon.

I recently received this e mail from Olivia and Matthew Barrass` mum after the Friday Main School Demonstration. When I asked her could I add it to the web site, she replied

“I could write more if you like.  There are so many great things I could say on the subject of Stage Coach.”

My husband and I were so impressed with the presentation by the children on Friday night. Olivia and Matthew love coming to Stage Coach, and you have a great team of staff.  It’s great news about the Billy Elliott opportunity

Annabelle Crosby, currently playing Debbie in “Billy Elliot” in the West End is, like Elliot Allinson in “Oliver” coming to the end of her contract time in the run up to Christmas. Annabelle has played the role for a long time and, like Elliot, has proven her worth by being chosen to renew her original 6 month contract.  Her mum told me the following :-  Annabelle has set a trend, the creative team were so taken by Annabelle’s age,size and appearence that they have chosen successive Debbie’s in her ‘mold.’ - what a legacy!!

We hope we will be seeing Annabelle back with us as a regular member of the Saturday AM Darlington Stagecoach school, where she has many friends.  Annabelle has always visited us when she can and has been one of our biggest fans. Her mum sent us the following comment recently “I’m not surprised ‘you’ve’ had so many ’successes’ - the children really do excell as a result of the whole Stagecoach experience. I have a younger child who is only 17months old and Annabelle is insisting I have her name put on the waiting list for the early years!

Below is the schedule of her last performances in case anyone is able to catch her on a visit to London.

Where it says BELLA, it means that Annabelle is performing.

Apart from very positive verbal feedback from parents after the Early stages Summer Workshop we also had record numbers of workshop students wanting to join us on a regular basis and some written feedback sent in. Thank you to all those who bothered to take the time. It is very much appreciated.

Thank you Hal and Wyl. We are glad that you had good fun

You were great fun boys. I will remember Jake`s giggles in the beach impro for a long time - you were Soooo excited!

Sue`s twins came along for a couple of the days and Sue sent this kind note to us

Dear Trudy

I am writing to thank you and your fantastic staff for giving George and Oliver a wonderful time at the Stagecoach Summer Workshop. They came home full of excitement and stated it as ‘The best day ever, Mummy’…….. Their end of the day performance was so entertaining and I was so proud of what they had achieved in such a short space of time. I also want to thank Janie for picking up the boys each morning (due to my operation I cannot drive at the moment) it is these acts of kindness that have given the boys some ‘normality’ at such a difficult and confusing time.

Trudy, you truly inspire all young children as I could see it in their eyes and I’m proud that they are part of the Stagecoach network.

Much Love Singing Sue (Parent)

We also had an e mail from a little girl`s parents that I have accidentally deleted, where mum was saying how much her daughter had enjoyed her workshops and how impressed her grandparents had been by our mini-show at the end of the day.

I’d just like to compliment everyone on the wonderful Yarm, Sunday morning end of term show, Cabaret. It was excellent. In the 9 years that Bethany has been attending Stagecoach, I think that this was one of the best shows I’ve seen. Standards were very high. It was really good to see the entire main school in the one show, and the performance flowed exremely well. All of the different age groups had obviously worked very hard and they all deserve to be congratulated on the fabulous performance.
Alison Taylor

Connor Martin`s parents kindly sent me this e mail about the Darlington Friday school show. 

On 16/04/2009, HELEN MARTIN <h.martin362@btinternet.com> wrote:

As newcomers to Stagecoach where our 8 year old son started in January 2009, we had no idea what to expect at the show. So we arrived 45 minutes early, with our other son of 3 years old, armed with things to amuse him should he get bored. He could not have been bored had he tried! The show was brilliant -  noisy, fast paced, funny, everything a show should be, and although the cast were young this was not strictly aimed at an audience of children it was mainly for our enjoyment, the grown ups who pay the fees! We were able to get seats right at the front and it was great seeing our son on stage, clearly having a ball, and we were immensely proud of him for achieving so much in such a short space of time. Writing the cheque at the start of term makes your eyes water, but the show made it worth every penny and more. We loved the show and have told everyone we know about it, we can’t recommend it highly enough. Thank you.
Helen  & Simon Martin

Caroline Atherton`s mum from the 9.30am Darlington Saturday class added this comment to an e mail she sent to me this week. 

“By the way we thought the show was fantastic and a huge achievement for all concerned, thanks to everybody”.

Hi Trudy   Congratulations to ALL the cast of the Saturday PM end of term show, you have all obviously worked very hard, it was FANTASTIC. We are looking forward to going to London in June to see the All Boys Dance Class perform. Charlie has attended a drama school since he was 4 years old but what a difference Stagecoach has made to him and that’s down to all the hard work and dedication of yourself and the teachers at Stagecoach.   WELL DONE TO EVERYONE AT STAGECOACH.   Sarah Skelton (Charlie`s Mum)

Received today from Christian Brown`s mum 

Hi Trudy,

The Saturday PM end of term show was fantastic. I have seen a few shows now that Christian has been attending stagecoach for 3 years, they have all been fantastic but I have to say I think this was the best yet.

The younger children who ‘auditioned’ were brilliant, I have to echo the previous parent & say that the ventriloquist & Romeo & Juliet were so funny, the girl with the dog also deserves a special mention & as always the boys dance group were exceptional. However all the children deserve huge congratulations, it was a great afternoon of entertainment, Simon Cowell need look no further.

Thanks once again to you & all the teachers for your dedication & hard work with our children. They really do benefit enormously from attending stagecoach & have so much fun.
Hope you all have a good rest over the Easter break.
Lynn Brown.

P.S. I honestly thought the parents dancing to ‘HERO’ was spontaneous, I think they should think about joining a drama group! they were great & added to the atmosphere

PS  I`ll let you into a little secret Mrs Brown - both those parents did come to our adult Performing Arts Classes when we used to run them at the Forum.

Best Regards 

Trudy