THEATRE arts pupils from Stagecoach Liphook celebrated the group’s 10th anniversary with a group of students travelling to Disneyland Paris where they performed in the pre-parade and showed off their talents in front of an international crowd.

To mark the 10th anniversary at the start of the year, the group performed at Midhurst Rother College, where 100 young people aged between seven and 18 years old performed repertoires in two celebratory shows called the Making Memories Showcase.

Stagecoach’s doors first opened at Bohunt School in April 2006 with many eager pupils waiting in anticipation along with an excited teaching team.

Two years later an afternoon school in Petersfield was launched, followed by popular holiday workshops.

In 2010, a performance group was introduced which provided pupils with the chance to perform at events such as music, speech and drama festivals, outdoor festivals, West End theatres, as well as at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, Southsea’s Kings Theatre and at Liphook Carnival’s family day.

Leanne Desmond, principal of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Liphook, told The Herald: “I am very proud to still have pupils training with us, who began right back at the start, on day one.

“Not only has it been a pleasure to watch them grow from early stages into young adults, but also it has been very rewarding to be a part of their developmental progress, both on and off stage.

“I am very honoured to watch all of our pupils grow in confidence, self-esteem, expression and communication.

“But most of all I cannot express how fulfilling it is to see pupils attend our classes, giving them time to ‘be themselves’ and explore the world of performing arts in a nurturing environment.”

The Liphook branch is part of a network of more than 600 part-time Stagecoach Theatre Arts Schools worldwide.

Mini-stages classes are available for children aged two to four years, with their parent or carer attending.

Early stages classes are available for children aged four to six and main stages classes take place for six to 18 year olds.