Stages 2011 starts in Bristol this weekend

Schoolchildren across Bristol will be moving their dancing feet as the annual Stages event kicks off this week.

A total of 45 schools across the city are taking part this year, with more than 1,500 children between the ages of five and eighteen involved.

The children will be performing at the Colston Hall on Friday 4, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 March, with a special gala performance taking place on Saturday 02 April 2011.

Children have also had the opportunity to take on production roles for the event, working as runners, lighting technicians and stage management.

Stages producer Shona Symons said: “Now in its 15th year STAGES illustrates the enthusiasm and skills we have in Bristol for dance and performing arts. “We’ve tried to make its appeal to students broader by creating new opportunities in stage management and choreography.   Every year new schools join us and come back year after year once they see how much enthusiasm and parental involvement it can inspire.”