A leading Winchester dance school will celebrate its 50th birthday with a musical extravaganza. 

The Lewis-Allsopp School of Dancing is showcasing the talents of its pupils, aged between five and 50, in a wide-ranging show.

The show, called "Hats of the Muscials", will be performed on the afternoons of Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30 at the Oasis Academy’s theatre in Lordshill, Southampton.

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(Image: Rob Sherwin)

The Winchester-based dance school was established in 1975 and began performing shows three years later, performing ballet as well as modern and contemporary dance.

Since then, the school has put on dozens of shows, all choreographed by principal Wendy Allsopp, who trained as a teacher at the Royal Ballet School. The ballets have included Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Coppelia.

This year the show includes 20 performances, with styles encompassing lyrical and classical ballet, contemporary and modern jazz. There will even be a bit of flamenco and the Charleston.

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Many of the previous shows’ dancers have gone on to professional careers in the West End and major ballet companies and others have become dance teachers.

Paula Ashford is one of the adult dancers who originally trained with Mrs Allsopp from the age of eight. This year she is performing three dances with the nine adult members of the cast.

She said: “This is a very special time for all the dancers. Mrs Allsopp gets the best out of the cast and it will be an exciting show with some special surprises. To think I performed as a young dancer with the school and am doing so again is fabulous.”

The school started life in 1975 in the Fencing Salle at Winchester College. Lessons are now held at the Osborne School and Kings Worthy Jubilee Hall.

Mrs Allsopp said the show would be colourful, entertaining and fun, with the older girls showing their pointework skills.

She said: “The children have all worked very hard and are looking forward to the performances. Whatever their ability, dancing gives them confidence, discipline and stage skills that they will come to rely on later in life.

“I am very grateful for the support of the parents in helping me put the show on as there have been many rehearsals!”

Tickets for the show, at 3pm on June 29 and 2.30pm on June 30, are £13 with £10 concessions for students available from allsoppwendy2@gmail.com or on the door.

For more information on the school, visit www.lewis-allsoppschoolofdancing.co.uk/.