40 years and counting - the Hartlepool performing arts school with a big milestone and a big show

Anniversary celebrations are under way in style for a Hartlepool performing arts academy.
By Chris Cordner
Published 8th Nov 2022, 10:31 BST
Updated 8th Nov 2022, 10:31 BST
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It’s a big milestone for the Val Armstrong Academy of Performing Arts which has reached its 40th anniversary and is still going strong. The school is marking the occasion with a show called VA Momentum at the Town Hall Theatre.

Owner Val Armstrong said: “It is a huge event for us and our 40th year opening night of the production is on tonight. The show runs until November 12.

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"This will be a spectacular show involving more than 130 students aged from 18 months to 21 years old.

Val's fantastic performers in the Latin street party of the show.Val's fantastic performers in the Latin street party of the show.
Val's fantastic performers in the Latin street party of the show.

"I think this one is going to be quite special. We have managed to produce a couple of 3D scenes which is a first.

"Everyone is really excited about it and there is huge variety with Prince of Egypt, Elf, Guys and Dolls and a Latin street party in it to open with.

"We will have our world champions performing our acrobatic pieces. There is huge variety and tickets are selling really fast.”

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The performing arts school has a reputation for producing world-class performers from its studios in Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and South Shields.

What a show on the way for the audience and here are some of the performers showing off their talents.What a show on the way for the audience and here are some of the performers showing off their talents.
What a show on the way for the audience and here are some of the performers showing off their talents.
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Hartlepool performers become champions after competing in Dance World Cup

It is run by mother and daughter team Val and Hollie Sorelle McCully with its students regularly compete in the likes of the Dance World Cup.

The VA Dancers dance troupe from the academy were crowned the winners of the Young Performer of the Year Award at the Hartlepool Mail-run Best of Hartlepool Awards in 2018.

That year, the dancers also became three-time world champions in the 2018 Dance World Cup in Spain and won the Barbara Sharples International Choreography Entertainment Express Award.

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The trophies have kept on coming over the years including hatfuls of wins at this year’s World Cup, and now comes a chance to see this ‘must see production’.

Shows start at 6.30pm from Tuesday, November 8, to Friday, November 11, and at 4pm on Saturday, November 12.

Tickets are selling fast. People interested in getting along are urged to book online or from the Town Hall Theatre box office, which is in Church Street, or call (01429) 890000.

Related topics:HartlepoolPrinceEgyptLatin