Making a right song and dance!

By Karen Bate karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A Bridport Youth Dance pupil has won a place at London’s renowned West End Musical Theatre.

Iris Stephens, 15, who attends Colfox, auditioned for the prestigious school, where she will train professionally at weekends, without telling her family.

Iris is tutored by dancer and choreographer Nikki Northover. Nikki, and Iris’s mother Athalia and grandmother Monique Pasche say they were stunned, delighted and so proud.

Iris said: “I have been following WEMT for a year or so on social media and see all the videos posted of their students singing and dancing. I emailed them without thinking I would get an audition, but I did and within a week I was accepted.

“I am so excited to be part of their training programme. It means I will be travelling to London every weekend. I love singing, acting, and dancing, it is all I dream of. I love being on the stage. “I have loved performing since I was little. I learnt tap dancing with Nikki, who is amazing and great fun.”

The training programme started last month and runs for ten weeks on Sundays every term.

The course will feature singing, dance, acting and musical theatre classes together with working regularly with West End guests, including leading performers, casting directors, agents, musical directors and theatre producers. Now Iris needs about £2,500 to help her pay for the course fees and her travelling costs.

Iris said: “Any donations would be extremely helpful, and I would be eternally grateful.” n If you can help Iris, go to gofund.me/f0323c50

Masks ruling lifted for health sites

Wearing masks at Dorset HealthCare sites is no longer mandatory.

An NHS spokesperson said after the ‘success of the vaccination roll-out’ and a reduction in covid cases, visitors and staff are no longer required to wear masks in public and clinical areas. Mask wearing will now be a personal choice for anyone working at or visiting NHS sites and masks will still be available for anyone wishing to wear one.

ON SONG: Encore refreshment volunteers and, right, merchandise volunteers Julie-Anne and Sam.

Below: The Encore Singers