Formby School of Dancing & Performing Arts is fifty years old this year
Back in the 1970’s, on Formby Show Day, the Batchelor Family moved into 85 Duke Street. “Mrs B” started to run the Formby School of Dancing and was well known to many families in Formby.
There were 100’s of girls and boys that danced through the school until the 90’s when daughter Hayley and her husband Alistair took over the running of the school.
Alistair’s background in Singing expanded the school into Singing and Drama classes alongside the Ballet, Tap and Modern Jazz that was already offered.
Pupils have been and continue to be extremely successful appearing in The West End, on TV, in Film including Disney, on Cruise ships Dancing and Singing , Pantomimes and Cabaret shows abroad and in London.
Many of the students go onto University but continue using their Performing Arts knowledge and joining Musical Theatre groups and Dance Groups alongside their Degree courses. Pupils gain outstanding results in GCSE dance and Drama exams at school as they have had exceptional training and understand what is required to gain Top Marks.
Many children just want a lovely hobby and The Formby School caters for this too, encouraging excellent team work and the value of making the very best of friends for life through working together in class and onstage without the added pressure of exams and competitions.
Hayley and Alistair said: “We would like to thank all our students past and present for their hard work and dedication in order to achieve their goals over the last fifty years. Also, their parents for all their support. Here’s to the next fifty!”
Whether you want a career, a competitive environment or a wonderful hobby, for 50 years the Formby School of Dancing & Performing Arts has been the very best place to go.
For more details, trial lessons or to watch their next show, the family friendly Pantomime Dick Whittington at their own Victoria Hall Theatre in Formby, please contact Hayley or Ali on 07496103397 or visit our website: formbyschoolofdancinganddrama
Hayley said: “Hundreds of Formby families can’t be wrong…...ask your friends, they’re bound to know us!”
About
Formby School of Dancing and Performing Arts has been established here in Formby for almost fifty years and is recognised as the best in the area. Our Performance Studios at the Victoria Hall, Formby, are second to none; with a beautiful mirrored Dance Studio, complete with ballet barres and a Harlequin dance floor.
Our Theatre and Rehearsal Room is equipped with the latest sound and lighting equipment, which we use regularly in our In House shows. We also offer the use of these in our stage awareness and microphone technique lessons, a must for all our future performers (it's also great fun!).
Set in its own grounds with ample parking, you could not wish for a safer environment for your children. Principals Hayley Batchelor-Hannah and Alistair Hannah believe that apart from the excellent standard of training in dance, drama and singing, their popularity is also down to the fact that pupils are nurtured and cared for, from the very shy to the more confident.
We give them the time to grow not just as performers but as individuals. Children range from 3-18 years are taught in mixed classes and have the option to take exams, compete in festivals and perform in many shows in our very own theatre.
Hayley
Hayley trained at Elliott-Clarke Theatre School and Merseyside Dance Centre, gaining huge amounts of professional dance experience. She has performed in many professional shows and then went on to take all her teaching qualifications in ballet, tap and modern with the I.S.T.D. Hayley has travelled the world dancing on cruise ships and theatres all over the country. She then went on to choreograph many professional productions including musicals and pantomimes with many of today’s stars. Her wealth of experience is passed on to her pupils with the same care and passion that she applied to her professional life.
Alistair
Coming from a musical background, Alistair started his professional singing career when he was just 11, appearing on Scottish television shows such as ‘The One O’clock Gang’ and ‘Roundup’.
He went from strength to strength singing in cabaret and theatres with the likes of Billy Connolly, Jasper Carrot, Ronnie Corbet, Tom O’Connor and many more. He has performed on many cruise ships and worked in South Africa on many occasions.
Still diversifying, Alistair then honed his acting skills by appearing in musicals and pantomimes in theatres all around the country. Together, Hayley and Alistair formed Palindrome Productions, producing Showstoppers, a musical extravaganza, for Butlins, Southport Floral Hall and The exclusive Trust House. Forte resort in Sardinia, to name but a few.
