Young performers from PQA Nottingham take to the West End in an action-adventure stage show

The show is part of an ambitious series of 26 West End performances, featuring around 5,200 young people from across PQA’s nationwide network. Each performance brings together three academies, and on stage alongside PQA Nottingham on this occasion were young performers from PQA Watford and PQA Salisbury.

Written by Will Brenton (best known for The Tweenies, Melody, and Coronation Street), Across the Line is a bold, contemporary action-adventure stage show that draws inspiration from popular modern-day shows like ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘Game of Thrones’.

Principal Clair Haynes says, “The show was an amazing experience for students, staff and parents alike. An incredible atmosphere, professional theatre team and the students all stepped up to give their best performances!”

A highlight for PQA Nottingham and a standout feature of Across the Line is its use of puppetry. In collaboration with Little Angel Theatre, PQA launched the No Strings Attached project, where the students gained hands-on experience with professional puppetry techniques. This initiative helped young performers develop dexterity, imagination and the technical understanding required to bring puppet characters to life on stage.

A parent of one of the young performers commented, “The event was incredible. I can't express how blown away I was. The children were exceptional and that's a lot to do with the guidance and support from you and all the team. Getting H to push past her fears and anxieties allowed her to realise what she is capable of. She was so proud of herself and absolutely buzzing afterwards, still is!”

Over 22 weeks of rehearsals, the young cast worked intensively on vocal technique, dance and movement, character development, stagecraft, ensemble work and performance confidence. A unique moment for PQA Nottingham was their use of a buddy-system to provide support across the Academy, as younger performers were partnered up with more experienced peers to guide them through the process, strengthening the communication and teamwork skills of each pair.

Individuals also developed vital life skills such as concentration, coordination, and resilience, all while enjoying the unforgettable experience of performing in a professional theatre environment.

Made up of a team of industry professional teachers across, Principal Clair is dedicated to providing a safe and inclusive space for young people to discover themselves whilst learning the latest techniques in performing arts as well as soft skills. Performing arts isn’t just about singing and dancing, there are also opportunities for all young people to explore comedy, story writing, TV and filmmaking.

If you’re interested in booking your child a free taster session at PQA Nottingham, please visit the website at www.pqacademy.com/academies/nottingham/