Ashley Banjo and the Diversity dancers have cemented their creative roots in south Essex.
Not only are they appearing in Snow White at the Cliffs for panto season, they are also set to open a dance studio on Kings Road in Westcliff.
Diversity Studios will have an open day on Saturday, October 29, offering street dance classes from two years and up - where Ashley and the crew will be on hand teaching!
Some of the cast of Snow White met at Diversity Studios yesterday to talk about the transformation of the 120 year old former church and to chat about the upcoming pantomime.
Ashley emerged in costume as the Prince followed by his guards, who are set to be played by the Diversity crew. Kirsty Ingram looked every inch Snow White in her outfit and Britain's Got Talent semi-finalist Myra Dubois personified the glamorous and, oh so bad, Wicked Queen.
The high ceilings and vast open spaces make the venue a perfect setting for a dance studio. The rehearsal room is impressive but the main hall is jaw-dropping. The room has high ceilings with a blue light feature which was designed by Ashley and there are areas to the side of the dance space with a pool table and sofas. The studio floor is poured concrete and Ashley explained that it has underfloor heating as it was the cheapest and most efficient way to heat the space.
"It could have been made into flats but it feels good to have the studio in an iconic building like this," said Ashley.
"We have kept a lot of the original features and the parquet flooring from the main hall I have kept to put in my house!"
Ashley has taken on a huge amount of the project himself since getting the keys to the premises in June.
"It has been non-stop with me and an eight man team of contractors to get it finished. I am a perfectionist, this is something I have learned about myself recently, so I didn’t think I would ever feel like it is finished. But it has been so nice to see people in the building and seeing how the space is used. There is one room I didn’t know what it was going to be but since we’ve all been here we've realised it is a dressing room," said Ashley.
So, are Ashley and the crew happy to be back at the Cliffs for panto season?
"It is our third panto but now we are local it feels even more special to us," he said. "People would say to me panto is its only little world but I see it for myself now. The best thing is when you make the kids laugh and also get the belly laughs from the parents as well, the best thing I can compare it to is Shrek the movie."
Myra Dubois has got charisma in spades and she seems to effortlessly reel of jokes. Myra is looking forward to wearing the Wicked Queen's crown this winter. "The queen is the original glamour girl and I am happy to occupy that space," said Myra.
Kirsty played Snow White at the Theatre Royale in Newcastle and she us thrilled to reclaim the role. "I am so happy to be playing Snow White. I grew watching all the Disney films and I feel like I am living my childhood dream when I do panto."
For tickets to see Snow White visit www.southendtheatres.org.uk.
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