A CHILDREN’S theatre day took centre stage in Keighley again – and was a massive success.

Performing arts school Stage 84 held singing and dancing workshops themed around movies and musicals.

And young students from the school performed.

The event – in the Airedale Shopping Centre today – also saw Keighley College students demonstrate theatre make-up and hair plaits, and there were free balloons and giveaways.

Phil Walker – of Keighley BID, which co-organised the activity – said the event was the sixth held with Stage 84, and had proved as popular as ever.

“It’s been well supported again and we’re very pleased with how it’s gone,” he said.

“It is good to have the college involved too. It has done a great job.”

Stage 84 managing director, Craig Winward, said he was delighted with how the day went.

He added: “These events enable us to go out into the community and give children a taste of what we do.

“We have a lot of returning families each time, which is fabulous.

“This is a special year for us – our 35th anniversary – and a very busy one.

“We’ve just had 30 students perform as part of the European Junior Theatre Festival in Birmingham and we’re taking part in local festivals.”

Between the workshops on Saturday, Stage 84 youngsters performed songs from shows including Annie, Matilda, Shrek, The Little Mermaid and Aladdin.

Around eight Keighley College students – from Level One hair and beauty and Level Two hairdressing courses – painted nails, and applied make-up and hair plaits for young visitors.

“It was incredibly busy,” said tutor Margaret Hargreaves.

“It’s part of the students’ course work and excellent experience for them.

“It is good to come out into the community and work with the public in this way and it helps showcase what we offer at the college.”

The next Keighley BID event is a summer fun day in Church Green on June 29.

It will include live entertainment, giant inflatables and bouncy castles.

For more details, visit discoverkeighley.co.uk.

Further information about Stage 84 and its forthcoming events, including the musical Rock of Ages, can be found at stage84.com.