Two people are dressed up in panto costumes ready to perform Aladdin. They are standing outside the Drama Studio London building.
Two people are dressed up in panto costumes ready to perform Aladdin. They are standing outside the Drama Studio London building.

Oh yes, they did! UWL’s Drama Studio London students put on a record number of productions for schoolchildren across Ealing

Eighty-seven actors in eight festive shows have done 63 performances in 24 schools and community centres which equates to 48 hours of festive fun over five days.

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The University of West London’s Drama Studio London has a long tradition of delivering fun festive shows to the local community. Many schools see their annual visit as the moment that the holiday season truly begins. 

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A group of Drama studio london students are dressed up in panto costumes ready to perform the steadfast tin soldier. They are stood in front of the drama studio london gate.

The University of West London’s Drama Studio London has a long tradition of delivering fun festive shows to the local community. Many schools see their annual visit as the moment that the holiday season truly begins. 

This year, recognising that families and schools are struggling to provide a little extra during the festive season, a record eight pantomimes have been created for 24 primary schools and community centres reaching over 5,000 local children across 44 performances.  

Teachers told us that this year they simply don’t have the budget for live entertainment, so our free shows have been very much welcomed,” the Director of Drama Studio London, Emma Lucia Hands comments. “We are grateful too for the support of UWL, which covered our transport costs.” 

Two students in costume ready to perferm the nutcracker are stood outside the Drama studio London building. A man is wearing a red jacket and a small beefeater style hat. A woman has her arm linked through his and is holding a magic wand.

The shows on offer include traditional pantos such as ‘Aladdin’ along with new specially commissioned pieces like ‘Bee’s Knees’, which looks at the importance of bees for the environment. 

These are high energy children’s shows with colourful costumes and lots of interactivity and audience participation,” Emma adds. “Live theatre helps children tap into an imaginative world beyond their normal lives. We are excited to be awakening their creativity and hopefully starting a lifelong love of live performances.”

A group of Drama studio london students are dressed up in panto costumes ready to perform the bees knees. They are stood in front of the drama studio london gate and wearing black and yellow stripes with yellow tutus.

For the DSL students, these productions are part of their professional training.

When you start out as a professional actor, some of your first jobs may involve small scale touring,” she explains. ”This is a brilliant way for them to understand what’s expected.”

In addition to performing in schools, six performances are also taking place in local care homes.

We are putting on specially tailored shows in collaboration with the Dot Collective – a charity that specialises in putting on theatre for people with Dementia,” Emma adds. 

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Two people are dressed up in panto costumes ready to perform Aladdin. They are standing outside the Drama Studio London building.
Two people are dressed up in panto costumes ready to perform Aladdin. They are standing outside the Drama Studio London building.
A group of Drama studio london students are dressed up in panto costumes ready to perform Hansel and Gretel. They are stood in front of the drama studio london gate and wearing an assortment of outfits.
Two people are dressed up in panto costumes ready to perform Aladdin. They are standing outside the Drama Studio London building.
Two people are dressed up in panto costumes ready to perform Aladdin. They are standing outside the Drama Studio London building.
A group of Drama studio london students are dressed up in panto costumes ready to perform Hansel and Gretel. They are stood in front of the drama studio london gate and wearing an assortment of outfits.

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