Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Perform runs weekly drama, dance and singing classes for children aged 4–7 and 7–12 at The Northcourt Centre, Northcourt Road, Abingdon, on Thursdays and Saturdays throughout term time. Every child can attend a free trial session before committing to a block.
The Northcourt Centre · OX14 1NSIllustrative photo · Nihal Demirci / UnsplashFind more like this near you
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About this class
Perform holds classes at The Northcourt Centre on Northcourt Road, Abingdon, every week during term time. The 4–7s group has two slots: Thursday afternoons from 4pm to 5pm, or Saturday mornings from 9:30am to 11am. The 7–12s follow on both days — Thursdays 5:05pm to 6:05pm and Saturdays 11:15am to 12:45pm. The current summer term runs from 11 April to 18 July, with no Thursday session on 28 May.
Each session combines drama, dance and singing, structured around what Perform calls the 4 Cs: Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination. For the 4–7s, the hour moves through three sections — energetic movement and coordination exercises; songs, tongue-twisters and raps; then character explorations and storytelling improvisation. The 7–12s go deeper into acting technique, working on vocal projection, physicality, accents and movement, plus speech and singing where small groups mean most children get a solo or featured role. Class sizes are capped at 22, with two Perform staff in the room at all times.
At Abingdon, Adam and Lizzie are the Producers and Katherine and Natasha are the Teachers. Thursday sessions are run by Lizzie and Natasha, with Area Partner Oliver visiting regularly; Saturdays are led by Adam and Katherine, with Area Partner Gemma dropping in regularly.
This summer term the 4–7s are working on Mermaids & Pirates, while the 7–12s take on The Dream — Perform's version of A Midsummer Night's Dream, with footballers, popstars and celebrities alongside Oberon and Titania. The curriculum rolls continuously, so a child can join at any point in the term without waiting for a fresh start. Three times a year, families are invited to Open Workshops and end-of-term Presentations to see what their children have been working on.
When it runs
Good to know
Common questions
Can we try a session before signing up?
Yes. Every child is entitled to a free trial class before you commit to a block. Book through the Perform website to find the next available slot at The Northcourt Centre.
What age groups are catered for here?
Perform runs two separate classes: one for 4–7s and one for 7–12s. In the younger group a mixed age range is intentional — older children take on an informal leadership role while younger ones are stretched by the group around them. In the 7–12s, Perform focuses on social development rather than exact age, so a child's character and readiness matter more than whether they have just turned seven or are nearly twelve.
How are sessions booked and paid for?
Classes are sold in blocks of 10 or 20 sessions. Alternatively, you can renew to the end of term at a slightly higher per-class rate, or pay monthly by Direct Debit. New customers who join the mailing list receive £30 off their first block of ten. A bursary scheme is available, and Perform accepts childcare vouchers — call the office for details on either. Booking is possible online, through your class Producer, or by phone.
What if we miss a session?
Missed classes cannot be added on to the end of a block. A make-up system lets your child attend an equivalent session at another Perform venue, subject to availability, provided they are still enrolled.
Can we pause or cancel if needed?
Perform does not offer refunds, but you can cancel sessions with three days' notice and the credit transfers to your account for use on other Perform products. If your child restarts after a cancellation, a minimum of ten consecutive classes must be purchased.
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