Stages have gone dark across the country thanks to Covid, and many stage and dance schools have had to closed as well.

But in Maidstone there is one new school that is bucking the trend.

Joanna Mason has launched her musical theatre academy despite the heavy restrictions imposed on the industry by Government.

She said: "It's been something I've had in the planning since January 2019. There were all kinds of set-backs and then Covid struck to delay things still further.

"Finally, I thought, I'm just going to go for it."

The former secondary school teacher started the Kent Academy of Musical Theatre (KAMT) three weeks ago.

The academy meets on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the Mid Kent College campus at Oakwood Park.

Mrs Mason said: "Finding a venue was one of the most difficult tasks.

"Most places have stopped taking external hires due to Covid. But Mid Kent has been wonderful.

"They've kindly given me a very large space at the price of a much smaller room, so that we can observe all the necessary social distancing rules."

Mrs Mason, who previously taught at Valley Park and Maplesden Noakes schools, said that the regulations imposed on the live performance industry had been extremely harsh and, she believes "out of proportion" to less strict rules imposed on similar businesses.

A key requirement is that the pupils only be allowed to join one social bubble.

She said: "Many established dance and theatre schools would have pupils in four or five classes. Suddenly they weren't allowed to do that and they have suffered a heavy loss of income."

In addition, there is a complicated formula to observe in terms of the amount of ventilation and the size of the building that places a limit on the total number of people allowed in.

At present Mrs Mason has four classes running, two for adults, one junior kids class and senior children's class. Obviously she is hoping to expand as and when Covid restrictions ease.

She said: "It's going really well.

"I have a great bunch of staff and we've secured four patrons - professionals from the industry - who will be giving the occasional masterclass as soon as the situation allows."

Among the patrons are Michael Southern who played Sammy in Blood Brothers on the West End stage for 11 years.

For more information visit the academy's website or email info@kamt.co.uk

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