HASLEMERE Performing Arts dance and theatre school held its annual summer show at the Millennium Centre to two sold out audiences.

More than 100 children between the ages of four and 17 performed a selection of striking visual and vocal performances, including ballet, tap, street and modern dance.

The show featured students of the HPA Saturday workshop classes and its festival group, delivering duets, solos and group dances, in an array of costumes, taking part in up to three performances each.

HPA’s principal Angela Cantan will be celebrating the school’s 50th birthday next year, after it was started in 1968 and has grown and developed over the years, achieving outstanding success in dance competitions and examinations.

She told The Herald: “I am always very proud of all my students and the show is a wonderful way for them to demonstrate their achievements. In recent Royal Academy of Dance ballet exams and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing’s modern and tap exams, 100 per cent of our candidates gained merit or distinction.

“At the Chichester Musical Festival, HPA won several trophies and at the British Arts Awards National Finals, held in London, our pupils competed with dancers from all over the country, winning first second and third prices in various groups.

“Many HPA pupils have gone on to a professional career either in dance or musical theatre.

“The continued success of HPA lies in the quality of our staff and because it not only embraces the latest developments but also retains the good of the past.

“One of our ex-pupils, Jerome Barnes, has recently been given a full contract with the Scottish Ballet Company, while another pupil Jessica McCluskey has just completed a professional West End run in Stepping Out – and another, Sofia Zaman, has been offered a third year at the Royal Ballet White Lodge School.”

HPA currently has a total of 180 students of all ages and next year’s 50th anniversary show will feature the entire school.

HPA is offering places at a musical theatre summer school for children aged five to 14, to be held at Hammer Hall, on Monday, July 24 until Friday, July 28 and from Monday, July 31 until Friday, August 4, between 10am and 2pm.

For more information call 01428 652360 or email [email protected]