A Swindon performing arts academy is set to take to the West End stage.

PQA Swindon will perform at His Majesty's Theatre on January 19, 2025.

The show, titled Across The Line, is in the early stages of planning and will feature inclusive casting, numerous speaking roles, and puppetry.

Students have been particularly enthusiastic about learning puppetry, as they have the opportunity to create their own puppets.

This marks PQA Swindon's third performance in the West End, with the entire academy participating in a full musical.

Last year, they performed Peter Panto at the Deanery Theatre in Wichelstowe.

The academy has since made the Kingfisher and Deanery schools their permanent homes.

Other performances include the teen edition of Six at The Christ Church Old Town, Matilda at the Sundial Theatre in Cirencester, and Cory Clagett at The Wyvern Theatre.

Chloe, 16-year-old head student at PQA Swindon, expressed her excitement about performing on the West End stage.

She said: "We are so excited to be performing on the West End stage, this will be my first time going and I am so excited.

"As head student, I can't wait to help support all my fellow students while also have a storyteller role.

"This past year has been so amazing with Peter Panto and our Red Carpet Cinema Screen, to now be preparing for my West End debut!"

PQA, founded by actress Pauline Quirke and her producer husband Steve Sheen in 2007, is a weekend performing arts academy.

It began with one academy in Beaconsfield, which was highly successful and led to the establishment of more than 220 PQA academies across the UK.

PQA Swindon, based at the Kingfisher Academy CE, provides Saturday classes for children and young people aged between four and 18 years.

Students are divided into age-appropriate groups and taught a range of subjects including musical theatre, film, comedy, and drama by specialist teachers.

PQA Swindon offers masterclasses, film screenings, and performance opportunities to celebrate the progress of each child.

PQA Swindon is run by principal Doug Kirby and his daughter Hannah Wilkins.

Mr Kirby, a filmmaker, has worked in the industry as an actor, assistant stage manager, and technical operator for youth performances at His Majesty's Theatre.

He also teaches adult courses in film and TV production in Swindon.

Ms Wilkins has a background in dance, singing, and acting, and has appeared in BBC's Casualty and Channel 4's Teachers TV programmes.