Leeds Fame School Turns Out Its Own Billy Elliots
Leeds' premier performing arts school is looking for budding Billy Elliots to help prove boys can samba just as well as they can play soccer.
The Studios La Pointe (SLP) Academy of Dance in Garforth already has 14 boys on its roll in the junior school and is aiming to increase that number still further.
The new term is due to begin next week when the school hopes to have its biggest ever intake of males.
Principal Miss Sandra Reid said: "A few years ago it would have been unusual for boys to sign up for a dance academy. Now, they are showing an increasing interest in music, dance and theatre.
"There is great career potential out there and dance is great for building strength and improving athleticism.
"Dance academies are no longer solely aimed towards girls and at SLP we have a very unisex atmosphere."
Bradley Richardson, from Rothwell, Leeds , has been a pupil at SLP for five years and has taken part in several top-flight productions.
Bradley, aged 15, hopes for a full-time career in performing arts once he leaves school.
He said: "I always had a passion for performing and I first joined the musical theatre classes at SLP. While I was doing that I became more interested in dance styles and now I pretty much do them all, including ballet.
"People do think of dance as a girls' thing but attitudes are changing. My friends have been very supportive. They enjoy watching me dance and respect that that's my passion in life."
Since joining SLP Bradley has been chosen to perform in shows across the region and recently took part in a 10-day performance for Youth Music Theatre: UK in Belfast .
He has also trodden the boards at Leeds Civic Theatre and York Theatre Royal.
Classes at SLP take place on Thursdays and Fridays and are open to pupils aged between two-and-a-half and 17. The musical theatre course, including a free jazz class, costs less than £60 a term.
Funding is available for students with special circumstances and the school is especially encouraging pupils from minority backgrounds.
For more information contact the college on 0113 286 8136 or log on to www.slpcollege.co.uk