Dear Annette and David

Just to say a big thank you for the spring academy. L and E had a fantastic time.  L said it was the best thing she has ever done (and she does a lot) and E (in spite of being a bit wary) ran in every day and smiled all through the show.

 Dear Liz,
Please pass on an enormous thank you to Annette and David from R and G and myself, for the fantastic week they had with you at Easter. They both thoroughly enjoyed themselves, especially the productions at the end of week.

I was very very impressed with the overall standard of the shows. The sight of my son dancing, singing and saying his lines so amazingly, and my daughter singing, dancing and beaming her way through Mary Poppins was overwhelming, and there were certainly tears on my part! R s experience, I think, was particularly valuable in terms of developing his confidence. Overall, it was great to see so many children and teenagers losing any inhibitions and just
going for it.   They both want to come back in the Summer!

We think these were the best academies we have run - but we seem to get better each time. Our unique approach is becoming more effective and we re really looking forward to the Summertime. book early!

The show featured favourite songs and dances from Best s shows through the years as the goodies and baddies returned for an apocalyptic showdown!

The audience reaction was fantastic:-

"Thank you for giving my daughter the chance to shine!"

"Wonderfully co-ordinated dancing, beatutifully clear singing and dramatic acting from all of them!"

"The show was absolutely fabulous!"

"Thank you for such a fantastic show!"

On their first day in 1998 a little four year old girl, Stephanie Booth, was one of the first to arrive. Ten years later she is still with Best! This amazing loyalty was recognised at the end of Best’s show ‘Best of Dreams’ this week when Stephanie was presented with a beautiful framed print of Waterstone’s Ophelia, signed on the back by all Best s students and teachers.

Best makes awards to students at each anniversary of their joining. Prizes awarded include wallets, bags and pens, umbrellas, mugs, picture frames and clocks – and at five years students are awarded ‘The Complete Works of Shakespeare’ - “A book no performer should be without!” says Annette Holland, Best’s co-founder.

“But for ten years we knew the award had to be something very special and personal. We hope the picture will be a permanent reminder for Stephanie of her happy times with Best.” She arrived as a feisty little four year old, and here she is a confident and poised young lady. We’re proud that she has chosen to spend so much of her childhood with us!”

“Stephanie plays ‘Nightmare’ in the ‘Best of Dreams’ and has been able to use all the skills and techniques she’s learned in her time with us,” says Annette.” The show brings back all the goodies and baddies from Best’s past shows in a final, music and dance filled showdown. “The show has been a massive hit, particularly because there have been so many big choral numbers. This means every child has had lots to do – no matter how old or how long they’ve been with us. We’ve had some lovely compliments from our parents.”

The attached picture shows Stephanie (centre) surrounded by the excited cast of Best of Dreams at The SandPit Theatre.

About Best

Best Theatre Arts is Hertfordshire s leading independent theatre school with term-time and holiday courses in St Albans, Berkhamsted and Hertord for children aged 4 to 18. In 2008 it celebrates its 10th birthday!

For further information, contact Best on 01727 75307 (bestarts@aol.com) or go to www.besttheatrearts.com