CHILDREN from as young as five will be taking to the stage in Falmouth next month to perform song and dance numbers from some of the best known West End musicals.

The Lynn Paula School of Dance, which is soon to be re-named following its take-over by Victoria Keast, will be descending on the Princess Pavilion on February 15 and 16 with its latest production, Celebration Dance Nation which is the brainchild of school principal Victoria.

“My inspiration was the Queen’s jubilee and the Olympics of last year,” she said. “I felt like everyone was so patriotic at the moment and we needed to tap into that so the theme of the show is British musicals from the West End with British producers and writers.”

Included in the show are excerpts from Billy Elliot, We Will Rock You, Les Miserables, Starlight Express, Cats and Phantom of the Opera. Around 180 youngsters, aged from five to 25, are involved with the production.

The dance school has adopted the Children’s Hospice South West as its charity and money raised from the three performances will be donated to it, adding to the thousands of pounds already donated over the years.

“I think it’s a nice charity for us to support,” said Victoria. “It seems quite appropriate that a dance school is raising money for other children less fortunate.”

The youngsters have been in rehearsals for the show since September and are now just putting the finishing touches to the 30 production numbers with the help of a “fantastic” wardrobe department.

“The children are getting really excited,” said Victoria. “It will be the first time on stage for a lot of them but they will be so high on adrenalin that they will not be too nervous. It is all a refreshing change and a real treat for those who have just taken exams.”

Tickets for Celebration Dance Nation are available now from the Princess Pavilion box office. There will be performances at 7.30pm each night plus a 2pm Saturday matinee.