YOUNGSTERS from the Kitty Langan Studio will have a once in a lifetime shot at dancing at a West End theatre in August.

Seventeen students aged five to 15 in the school’s Performing Arts class will have a chance to show off their talents at the London Palladium when they take part in the Class Talent Variety Show.

But the group will not be able to reach their dreams unless they raise £2,000 to take part.

Katie Langan, principal at the Kitty Langan Studio, said: “I have been dancing for about 19 years and it was something I always dreamed about, performing on a West End stage.

“It’s something I never got to do so when the opportunity came up I jumped for it. I am fulfilling my dreams through them in a way but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, and even if they don’t take their training any further they will be able to say they performed at the London Palladium.”

Katie was approached by Class Talent, an agency determined to help children achieve their dreams, with the opportunity for her students to perform on the West End stage last year.

But as part of the package, each youngster will have to wear Class Talent’s t-shirt, costing £15, during the finale, and each child has been allocated three tickets, costing £29.50 each, which the Studio will have to pay for if parents do not take them up.

This is before taking into account travel costs, which are expected to amount to £600, and the costs of costumes appropriate for the London Palladium.

Katie said: “We knew when we signed up that there were costs involved, but when we added the costs up we realised how expensive it was going to be for people.

“We just want to raise awareness about what we are doing and what we are fundraising for.

“It’s mainly the transport costs – if we raise enough for transport nothing will stop us.”

To help raise the money Katie and her students will hold a series of fundraising events during the summer months.

This will include a car wash from 1.30pm at the Shield and Dagger in Greenmeadow on June 21, bag packing at the Sainsbury’s in Bridgemead on June 29, bag packing at Morrisons in Dorcan on July 13 and a sponsored dance performance at the Morrisons in Greenmeadow on July 19.

In the meantime, preparation for the big day is well underway, with plans to do a singing and dancing medley for their 12 minutes of fame.

Katie said: “There will be Singing Through the Ages for six minutes, which will be a medley of music from the 60s right up to now, and then the last six minutes will be Dancing Through the Ages which will again be a showcase of dance over the years.”

The performance will be choreographed in house by Hollie Brown.

To find out more about the Kitty Langan Studio, visit www.kittylanganstudio.com.