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Original poster

Is Perform Drama any good?

15 replies

Carrotsurprise · 06/08/2025 10:00

I'm thinking about it for DD6 since she loved being in her school play so much, I think she'd love a drama/performance class. It's so expensive though, is it worth it? I'm wondering about both the little kids class and the big kids class since she'll be 7 before long.

OP posts:
Original poster
Carrotsurprise · 06/08/2025 18:13

Bump

OP posts:
CurlewKate · 06/08/2025 18:28

I would go to your nearest local theatre and ask if they have a youth group. The trouble with the franchises is they depend very much on the person running them-some are brilliant, some are truly awful. And they quite often lean towards musical theatre of the tits,teeth and tush type even for little girls. See if they have a production you can go and see. Ask whoever ran your school production. Don’t rush into anything!

CurlewKate · 06/08/2025 18:29

Also-some of the big franchises hit you will lots of expensive extra-extra sessions, costumes- stuff it’s very hard to say no to.

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6 year olds Theatre
Camdenish · 06/08/2025 18:34

My DC loved it and it was good for them. We didn’t buy any of the costumes, we cobbled together costumes, we only bought a t shirt.

Their teachers were brilliant and I was sad when they finished. But yes, it’s not cheap and depending on where you are, you may find something similar cheaper. It was great for us though as the times and venue suited.

I know a few children who’ve done it. It’s worked wonders for their confidence.

Original poster
Carrotsurprise · 06/08/2025 20:35

CurlewKate · 06/08/2025 18:28

I would go to your nearest local theatre and ask if they have a youth group. The trouble with the franchises is they depend very much on the person running them-some are brilliant, some are truly awful. And they quite often lean towards musical theatre of the tits,teeth and tush type even for little girls. See if they have a production you can go and see. Ask whoever ran your school production. Don’t rush into anything!

What is musical theatre of the tits teeth and tush type?? Thanks for the advice though!
And thanks @Camdenish

OP posts:
CurlewKate · 06/08/2025 21:28

Carrotsurprise · 06/08/2025 20:35

What is musical theatre of the tits teeth and tush type?? Thanks for the advice though!
And thanks @Camdenish

Show quote history

Sorry! The kind of chorus line sort of dancing with lots of makeup and fixed grins. My DS runs a youth theatre and that’s what he calls it!

narcASD · 06/08/2025 21:29

My daughter did perform for from 7-10 and she loved it, the lady who ran our one was infectious and the only additional cost was a t-shirt. My girl is autistic and they were fab with her. I do agree with above poster that it does depend a lot on who runs the classes. They were no tits, tits and tush at all, it is quite expensive for the classes through.

CurlewKate · 07/08/2025 06:56

I hope I didn’t offend anyone. I’ve been involved in youth theatre for 15 years now, and I am a) wary of the franchises (although many are excellent of course) b) have seen too many heavily made up under 10s doing jazz hands and c) seen too many parents being drawn into forking out a ton of money for extra classes, costumes and things.

Drama is absolutely fantastic for kids, but you do have to be a little wary. It’s also a fantastic way for unscrupulous adults make money.

Camdenish · 07/08/2025 07:24

I wish I could remember all the plays the dc did at Perform, all I can think of now was they did an interpretation of Christmas Carol and they had various roles, including a foot stool-it was far from tits n teeth.

Mydadsbirthday · 07/08/2025 20:32

My two did a summer course for a week once over the summer when they were about 5, it was hilarious watching the show at the end of the week. You could try one of those first to try it out? They are quite expensive though and only for a few hours so you can't use it as all day childcare if you need to work for example.

ZuluQ · 07/08/2025 20:35

My child does it and loves it! Highly recommend, great for confidence and we look forward to the performances which loves rehearsing for. Worth it for us. You can do a free trial class.

Trampoline · 03/09/2025 16:17

My kids used to go to Perform and loved it.
Definitely no jazz hands or tits/teeth! It's more about developing confidence - my kids loved the weekly activities and games more than the end of term show actually.
It's not franchised either. Definitely recommend booking a trial.

BoboTheBear · 03/09/2025 16:34

It was a few years ago, but both my DC went to Perform.

Not tits and teeth

Good stuff

Not cheap

Several different teachers over the years, but all of them fantastic (I think they use actors who are between jobs - very high level of enthusiasm and skills)

Good learning materials

Excellent for building confidence

Bumbers · 03/09/2025 20:38

My DC did a summer week with perform a few weeke ago. We were really impressed and if we had the time / logistics worked i would 100% sign her up for it going forwards.

parietal · 03/09/2025 20:43

My dc did perform for a few years. It is more inclusive than many other drama groups and can work well for kids who are shy and not good at acting but benefit from trying things out.

if your kid is aiming to be professional, there are other classes that are more pushy but I found perform to be v friendly

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