All the world’s a stage – and it certainly has been in the past year for the Alton-based stage school Strictly Showtime.

It has put on several shows including full-scale performances of Bugsy Malone and Oliver – and smaller-scale versions of Annie and Beauty and the Beast.

Meanwhile, the age 11 to 18 group in Alton staged very successful performances to packed houses of Matilda The Musical in the summer.

Many of the Strictly Showtime students also take individual lessons with them in singing, piano, guitar, keyboard and flute.

They have had some remarkable results in last term’s exams including one of the very highest scores in the country for grade five Singing For Musical Theatre, when Sophie Housley’s exam performance scored an incredible 146 marks out of 150.

Sophie recently successfully auditioned for entry to the West End Musical Theatre (WEMT). She also won the chance, against intense competition, to perform at a masterclass with Alice Fearn, star of Wicked in the West End.

Teacher Jenny Abbott said: “Sophie has been a student with Strictly Showtime since the age of ten and has just completed her eighth year with us, having starred in many musicals with us including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jungle Book, Hairspray and West Side Story.

“We’re so pleased Sophie’s hard work with our group has helped her achieve such great exam results and given her such a wonderful opportunity with WEMT.

“Other students who have had leading roles in our shows have also had great exam success after having individual lessons with us.

“Emily Carley achieved three distinctions this year in ABRSM grades and Gabby Griffiths achieved two merit exam passes.

“Isobel South also achieved merit standard and we have also had excellent results in piano and other instrumental exams, including high-scoring distinctions at grade eight piano.”

The group is just starting the new term with new shows.

The age seven to 12 classes will be starting work on Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with full-scale performances in July, and the younger age four to eight groups will be working on songs and dances from Rapunzel which includes songs from Tangled.

Meanwhile, the age 11 to 18 group will be performing Legally Blonde at the end of this term and new members can still enrol for chorus parts.

Classes are available in both Alton and Whitehill and further information about these and Strictly Showtime’s large programme of school holiday workshops in Alton, Farnham and Bordon can be found on its website www.strictlyshowtime.co.uk or on Facebook.

It can also be contacted on 07943 884571 or at [email protected]