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What an unforgettable evening at the Les Misérables Arena Spectacular! It was fantastic to see so many BSPA pupils and parents in the audience, all coming together to enjoy such an extraordinary performance.

The show was a true spectacle, featuring a stellar cast and orchestra. It was especially exciting for our pupils to see our patron, @killiandonnelly1984, in the iconic role of Jean Valjean. His performance was filled with such passion, and “Bring Him Home” was, personally, one of the evening’s highlights.

Bradley Jaden’s portrayal of Javert was nothing short of incredible, with his portrayal of Javert’s final moments—so full of anguish and emotion—leaving a lasting impact.

Two other standout performances included Éponine, whose rendition of “On My Own” was simply breathtaking, and the fabulous Bonnie Langford, whose legendary presence on stage was an absolute joy to watch.

We were also thrilled to see Raymond Walsh in the cast. It was wonderful to hear that familiar Belfast twang in Les Misérables—a local star shining on such a grand stage!

We hope you all enjoyed the show as much as we did. We’d love to hear about your favourite moments!

We’ve been bursting with excitement, but we’ve had to keep a secret—until now! We’re beyond thrilled to announce that our talented BSPA Lisburn AM pupil, David, has landed an incredible role in the upcoming BBC adaptation of Lord of the Flies. After a rigorous audition process and countless trips to London, David has been cast as Piggy in this highly anticipated series, adapted by Jack Thorne and directed by Marc Munden.

David’s journey took him all the way to Malaysia for six months of filming this summer, and we hear he’s absolutely rocking it—or as David would say, he’s “living his best life.” The professional team on set has been nothing short of impressed with his stamina (especially given the intense heat!), his professionalism, and, of course, his infectious charm that lights up any room. Those of us who know David aren’t surprised; his training has equipped him to handle every challenge with grace, and he’s embracing this opportunity with everything he’s got.

Director Marc Munden shared his thoughts on the series:
“This iconic novel of class, conflict, and tender male friendship has never been more relevant. It’s a real privilege to be working with Jack Thorne once again, the wonderful cast of young actors we’ve assembled, and the brilliant team at Eleven on this beautifully fresh adaptation.”

We couldn’t be prouder of David and his amazing achievements. At BSPA, we’re thrilled to watch him grow into this exciting new chapter of his career, and we can’t wait to share more about his incredible experiences in the coming months. Stay tuned for updates!

We are beyond proud to have been part of this incredible project with an exceptional group of people, culminating in 5 sold-out shows that truly showcased the magic of collaboration and talent.

On behalf of the entire production team—Director Peter Corry, Musical Director Ashley Fulton, Choreographer Michael McEvoy, and Assistant MD & Director Seanna Hutchinson—I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the cast. Thank you for your dedication, hard work, and trust in us as we brought a new and perhaps unfamiliar show to life. Watching you embrace your roles, whether as a principal or a key member of the ensemble, has been a pleasure. The ensemble, in particular, worked tirelessly, often juggling more time on stage, costume changes, and character transformations—each contributing to the show’s success!

Behind every amazing cast is a team that works tirelessly to create the magic that makes it all possible. At BSPA, we have the most incredible support team, and we couldn’t do this without them. From costume design to prop sourcing, from lighting to stage management, this production was a true team effort. Many of our team members are still working hard today, making sure costumes are returned, props are sorted, and everything is in place.

A huge thank you goes out to the following individuals who made this all possible:

• Production Manager & Stage Manager: Andrew McKnight and his dedicated stage team
• Lighting Design: James McFetridge, with lighting and sound by the fantastic Geoff Clarke Audio Visual
• Wardrobe and Costumes: Dianne Nevin and her talented team of seamstresses
• Props: Sourced and provided by Pauline Hughes
• Hair & Makeup: The amazing Annecia Haddock and Alexandra Moyna

This production also required a touch of magic, and we were fortunate to have Nikola Arkane as our Magic Consultant and Fergus Wachla-Kelly for creating stunning projections that truly added a magical dimension to the show.

Of course, none of this would be possible without our incredible team of Chaperones. These dedicated individuals not only safeguarded the cast but also ensured everyone was in the right place at the right time, assisted with quick changes, helped find lost props, and offered emotional support when needed. A massive thank you to each of you, and to all the parents who ensured their children were ready and supported throughout this process. We hope this experience has been just as rewarding for you as it has been for us.

To everyone who attended our shows, we hope you enjoyed the experience as much as we did. We’d love to hear your feedback! A huge thank you also to the wonderful staff at the MAC Theatre for an incredible week. We look forward to returning and doing it all again soon! ✨

A huge congratulations to some of our talented Performance Academy students at BSPA who recently completed their Trinity Diplomas and Trinity Grades with outstanding results! We’re thrilled to celebrate with four students achieving Distinctions—what an incredible achievement!

These young performers balanced their exams alongside GCSEs, AS, and A-Levels, and we couldn’t be more amazed by their dedication, talent, and commitment. They’ve set the bar high, and we are so proud of each one of them.

We’re also excited to announce that September plans are just around the corner, and we can’t wait to welcome lots of new students into our Performance Academy family. Want to join us? Head to our website for more information and fill out the registration form to be the first to hear all the details.

When do we meet?
Our Performance Academy at BSPA takes place every Thursday evening at Belfast Operatic Company Studios, 22 Heron Road, Belfast, from 7pm – 10pm.
Open to students aged 16-26 years.

We can’t wait to see what the future holds—join us and be part of something amazing! ✨

Did you catch Cory, one of our talented BSPA Holywood pupils, on BBC Newsline today? His viral video of him playing at Dublin Airport has taken the internet by storm, and we couldn’t be more proud of him!

We’re excited to welcome him back to rehearsals soon for our Senior Summer Project production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We can’t wait to see him shine on stage next!

Stay tuned for more updates and congratulations again, Cory!

BSPA is delighted to introduce their Summer Project 2023 for 6-16 year olds from Monday 12th – Friday 16th August 2024.  We are delighted to be bringing you a week of excitement looking at three exciting Disney shows

High School Musical – Do you see yourself as an athlete, a singer or a brainiac? You can be all three!! Just be yourself!!

 Newsies – Join Jack and his gang in New York City as they fight back the oppression and bring about change. 

Beauty and the Beast– will the beast remain a monster forever? To break the curse he must learn to love Belle and earn  her love in return.  Will true love win?

 This is open to everyone ie not just BSPA 

Join Julie Alderdice , Lloyd Scates and Johanna Johnston for a fun filled week of music, dance and drama.

The week will end with a relaxed performance for Parents

Director : Julie Alderdice
Musical Director; Lloyd Scates
Choreographer: Johanna Johnston

Dates:  Monday 12th – Friday 16th August  2024
Venue: Belfast Operatic Company premises, 22 Heron Road, BT3 9AE

Click for pricing and booking form