School of Performing Arts Trips

LEAP also encourages its students to see as many live performance as possible. We aim to organize group theatre outings to quality performances ranging from West End Musicals, classical theatre, Shakespearean plays, modern adaptations and dance productions at varying theatres and performance spaces.

We believe that this does not only broaden their repertoire of productions but also can inform judgements, enhance their own performance skills and unleash the enthusiasm and passion of this diverse art form.

Dinosaur World | Wycombe Swan

LEAP is delighted to announce an outing to see Dinosaur World Live.

Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show for all the family.

Grab your compass and join our intrepid explorer across unchartered territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus!

A special meet and greet after the show offers all our brave explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend.

Don’t miss this entertaining and mind-expanding Jurassic adventure, live on stage. Book now before tickets become extinct!

Avenue Q | Alyesbury Waterside Theatre

Fantasies come true - the hilarious and multi-award-winning Avenue Q is back!

Following a smash-hit run in 2014- 2015, the fur-lariously laugh-outloud musical is back by popular demand.

Catch-up with all your favourite (and unforgettable) characters on a downtown New York street trying to make sense of life’s burning issues – like what do you do with a BA in English? How do you find your purpose? And is the internet really just for…. nevermind.

Missed all the fuzz last time round? Don’t let your life suck – book now! Created by Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez (Co-creator of Book of Mormon). From the producers of Footloose, Flashdance and American Idiot.

Friday 27th, Jan 7 pm

The TwitsTo Drama Class Pupils Yr. 3 -Yr 7 and Junior / Inter Musical Theatre pupils in school yrs. 3-7 LEAP is delighted to announce an outing to see The Twits Mr. Twit was a twit. He was born a twit. And, now at the age of sixty, he was a bigger twit than ever.” Mr Twit has a very hairy face. His beard is spiky and smelly. It also contains cornflakes, sardines and even some stilton. Mrs Twit is equally as foul and she hates Mr Twit just as much as Mr Twit hates her.

The Twits are the most spiteful and revolting couple you could ever hope to meet. They spend their days playing wicked tricks on each other and mistreating Muggle-Wump monkeys. They also have a particularly sticky trick to catch RolyPoly birds for their bird pies. But not for much longer because the monkeys have a cunning plan to teach those terrible twits a lesson. Directed by Max Webster (The Lorax at The Old Vic), this mischievous new show promises to be just as disgusting and repulsive as earth worms disguised as spaghetti – the perfect treat for all. Playing at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre I have secured 20 seats at a discount rate of £12 each (normally £20) and will put on a Mini bus to collect and return pupils from The Downley School at 5:45pm £8 Total cost £20! Requests will be on a first come first served basis and payment must be made by 15th Dec 2016 Once signed in, a staff member of LEAP will chaperone students until the drop off time – at the same place, (time to be confirmed). All pupils are to wear their LEAP uniforms and if permitted, may bring sufficient funds to purchase refreshments and/or programmes.

Thursday 10th February, 7:30 pm

Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTo Drama Class Pupils Yr. 7 plus and Musical Theatre pupils in year groups 7 plus LEAP is delighted to announce an outing to see Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - One of the best shows Mrs Gutteridge has seen since War Horse! Playing at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre I have secured 20 seats at a discount rate of £24 each (normally £31.50) and will either arrange train (Wycombe station) or put on a Mini bus to collect and return pupils from The Downley School at 6:15pm £8 total cost Requests will be on a first come first served basis and payment must be made by 7 th Jan 2017 Once signed in, a staff member of LEAP will chaperone students until the drop off time – at the same place, (time to be confirmed). All pupils are to wear their LEAP uniforms and if permitted, may bring sufficient funds to purchase refreshments and/or programmes.

Thursday 9th March, 7:30 pm

Thoroughly Modern MillieTo All Pupils Drama Yr. 5 plus and Inter / Senior Musical Theatre pupils in school yrs. 5 plus LEAP is delighted to announce an outing to see Thoroughly Modern Millie Broadway’s smash hit comes to the UK starring Strictly Come Dancing’s Joanne Clifton The winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie is based on the Academy Award-winning film starring Julie Andrews, taking you back to the height of the Jazz Age in New York City, when ‘moderns’ including a flapper named Millie Dillmount were bobbing their hair, raising their hemlines and rewriting the rules of love. The show delivers a brilliant evening of madcap merriment and stars Strictly Come Dancing’s Joanne Clifton as the adorable Millie. This hilarious musical comedy features spectacular dance routines and great songs, so beat the drum - here comes Thoroughly Modern Millie – Grab your ticket now! Playing at The Wycombe Swan Theatre I have secured 20 seats at a discount rate of £12 each (usually £33).

Requests will be on a first come first served basis and payment must be made by Feb 9th 2017 Pupils who wish to see the performance will meet at the Theatre’s main entrance Sat promptly at 7:00pm. Once signed in, a staff member of LEAP will chaperone students until the drop off time – at the same place, (time to be confirmed). All pupils are to wear their LEAP uniforms and if permitted, may bring sufficient funds to purchase refreshments and/or programmes.

Sunday 12th March, Excel London

Move itTo All Pupils Drama Yr. 9 plus and Senior Musical Theatre pupils LEAP is delighted to announce a day Trip to Move It! Over 24,500 dancers – three days – performances, classes, career advice, celebrities, interviews and shopping! MOVE IT is your chance to celebrate all forms of dance and the performing arts. Watch breathtaking Main Stage performances, take part in dance classes, discover dance career opportunities in the MOVE IT PRO series, brush up on your acting and vocal skills in performing arts workshops and shop for all your dancewear needs. No matter what level you are – there is something for everyone and a glorious celebration of all things dance and performing arts at MOVE IT Ticket price will be £11.50 up to 15 years £15.50 16 years’ plus Train fares and if you wish to take part in dance classes or masterclasses will be an extra cost. £4.50-£7 (classes) Tickets go on sale in December so you will need to confirm your interest by Nov 28th and then train fare and classes can be booked and selected

Move it! | Excel, London

Over 24,500 dancers – three days – performances, classes, career advice, celebrities, interviews and shopping! MOVE IT is your chance to celebrate all forms of dance and the performing arts. Watch breathtaking Main Stage performances, take part in dance classes, discover dance career opportunities in the MOVE IT PRO series, brush up on your acting and vocal skills in performing arts workshops and shop for all your dancewear needs. No matter what level you are – there is something for everyone and a glorious celebration of all things dance and performing arts at MOVE IT.

Cat in the Hat (play version) | Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

From the producers of The Twits and George’s Marvellous Medicine, comes this fantastic production of Dr. Seuss’ classic The Cat in the Hat. When The Cat in the Hat steps onto the mat, Sally and her brother are in for a rollercoaster ride of havoc and mayhem! The Cat can rescue them from a dull rainy day, but what mischief do they get up to along the way? With original songs and spectacular circus elements, this Curve and Rose Theatre Kingston co-production of The Cat in the Hat will be the perfect treat.

Woman in Black (Show and Workshop) | London's Fortune Theatre

As the second longest running play in the West End, The Woman in Black is sure to petrify audiences from beginning to end. With its unique use of illusion and the suspense of controlled horror, The Woman in Black is a highly memorable theatrical treat. This West End classic has been watched from behind the hands of over seven million theatregoers on the claustrophobic stage of the Fortune Theatre. The story holds the advantage of a timeless original story that, although written in 1983, still holds the ability to shock and frighten a modern audience. Its use of only two actors and the overall simplicity of its presentation, harks back to its humble stage origins, while also having the effect of building a tension that will chill audiences to the bone. However, the fun doesn’t stop there we have also arranged a Woman in Black workshop!! Brand new GCSE and A-Level workshops for The Woman in Black Led by theatre professionals, this new workshop will take students into the Fortune Theatre and onto the actual set to explore and experience what makes this ghostly tale one of the most successful West End shows ever. Designed with the GCSE and A-Level Theatre and English syllabuses in mind they will maximise students’ experience of watching The Woman In Black through practical examination and investigation of the play’s core themes. Students will examine the mechanics that make the play such an effective piece of theatre: how The Woman In Black creates tension; sharpening students’ literary and drama analysis skills; identifying how the production engages to make an audience feel unnerved. Playing with imaginative and resourceful storytelling techniques, students will explore how the performers work with text, set, and each other to tell a story. Above all, these workshops will encourage students to participate, be brave and creative and in so doing build confidence in their own ideas

The Importance of Being Ernest | The Wycombe Swan

The Importance of Being Earnest is known to elegantly lampoon the hypocrisies of a Victorian society and opens as two bachelors, the dependable John Worthing, J.P. and upper class playboy Algernon Moncrieff, feel compelled to create different identities in order to pursue two eligible ladies Cecily Cardew and Gwendolen Fairfax. The hilarious misadventures which result from their subterfuge; their brushes with the redoubtable Lady Bracknell and the uptight Miss Prism result in a plot that twists and fizzles with some of the finest dialogue to be found in theatre Playing at The Wycombe Swan Theatre I have secured 12 seats at a discount rate of £23 each Requests will be on a first come first served basis and payment must be made by Oct 5 !! Not long to sign up. Pupils who wish to see the performance will meet at the Theatre’s main entrance Sat promptly at 2:00pm. Once signed in, a staff member of LEAP will chaperone students until the drop off time – at the same place, (time to be confirmed). All pupils are to wear their LEAP uniforms and if permitted, may bring sufficient funds to purchase refreshments and/or programmes.

Oklahoma | The Wycombe Swan

As refreshing and thrilling as the day it was written, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA! is the original feel-good musical. From the minute the rugged cowboy Curly steps on to the stage singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’ we know that all will be right with the world. This colourful production overflows with well-known songs such as I’m Just a Girl Who Cain’t Say No, Surrey With a Fringe on Top, Kansas City, People Will Say We’re in Love and, of course, the rousing title song itself!

Celebrating the vigour of America’s pioneering spirit with classic tunes and boot-stomping dances, we follow Curly and the girl of his dreams, Laurey, as they travel down love’s highway on an extremely bumpy surrey ride. From the award-winning producers of The King & I and Fiddler on the Roof this brand new production starring Belinda Lang as Aunt Eller and Gary Wilmot as Ali Hakim is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh. It features a large cast and chorus as well as a live orchestra, bringing you romance, excitement and a score filled with sunshine.

Anything Goes | The Wycombe Swan

This brand new production of Cole Porter’s classic, multi-award winning musical-comedy, Anything Goes transports you to the magical age of tap dancing and high society.

When Billy Crocker discovers that his heart’s desire, debutante heiress Hope Harcourt is engaged to an English aristocrat, he stows away aboard the S.S. American to win her back. Aided by a string of eccentric passengers on board the luxurious transatlantic liner, can this web of love be untangled before they reach Southampton? Featuring the rich sounds of a live orchestra and a sensational cast of 26, Cole Porter’s uplifting masterpiece of music and dance includes the magnificent songs I Get A Kick out of You, Friendship and Brush up your Shakespeare

Legally Blonde - Savoy Theatre 

For those of you that haven't seen the musical or the film, the storyline goes something like this; College sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods doesn't take 'no' for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone 'serious', Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law School!

This musical is far better than the film and is full of fun, laughter, song and dance from the opening scene to the final one. This really is a 'feel-good' show. The humour is delivered with great timing which makes it still funny after five shows! The dance scenes are full of enthusiasm and passion.

It really is a fabulous musical and one that when we left the theatre at the end of the show, we all had smile on our face. Isn't that what it is all about?

Footloose - Aylesbury Waterside Theatre 

With a bang the show opened and the cast burst onto the stage to bring us a spectacular, high octane rendition of the title song Footloose. We were immediately drawn in to their incredible energy, powerful vocals and dazzling dance routines. Wow, what an opening! I don't think I've ever seen a show that has grabbed our attention so quickly and completely. This level of energy continues throughout the entire show and we marvelled at the fitness of the cast, wondering how many hours it must take to get to sleep after such an exhilarating performance?The show was brilliantly directed and choreographed by Olivier award winner Karen Bruce and there were some inspired and original dance moves, which the cast danced with precision and passion. The company routines were very tight and a joy to watch. We sang all the way home.

Georges Marvellous Medicine - Aylesbury Waterside Theatre  

George creates a marvellous new medicine to cure his grandmother of her terrifying temper. But, when she drinks his special new potion, the most incredible things start to happen. And George's adventure has just begun!

This brand new adaptation of one ofRoald Dahl's funniest and most exciting is fizztickling fun and a wonderful bnight out for the Junior LEAP pupils - they loved it!

Woman In Black -  The Fortune Theatre

Senior Class Pupils Yr 8-11 and Senior Musical Theatre years 8-11 went to see the unanimously acclaimed The Woman in Black. This show combines the power and intensity of live theatre with a cinematic quality inspired by the world of film noir. It gives audiences an evening of unremitting drama as they are transported into a terrifying and ghostly world.

The pupils also attended a Drama workshop exploring the art of storytelling and how a simple story can be transformed into a spine -chilling drama. Through writing, narration, physical images and soundscape, students will stage their own stories during the session as well as examine elements from the text.

This really is the most brilliantly effective spine chiller you will ever encounter - it's really scary! What a great experience for all involved.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Aylesbury's new Waterside Theatre

Junior Class Pupils Yr 2 -3 and Junior Musical Theatre School year group 3 . Keith Jack, the hugely popular runner-up who finished just a hair's breadth behind winner Lee Mead in hit BBC series Any Dream Will Do, takes on the title role, having won the hearts of the nation with his sparkling charisma and sensational singing voice. Retelling the Biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours, this magical musical is full of unforgettable songs including Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door To Me and One More Angel. Wow front row tickets a most enchanting trip out. Our thanks go to all our pupils for their mature behavior!

Read more: Past trips include: