Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Perform runs weekly drama, dance and singing classes at Didcot Methodist Church Hall, Mereend Road (OX11 8RQ), with a 4–7s session on Fridays at 4pm and a 7–12s session at 5:05pm. Every new child can attend a free trial before committing to a block.
Didcot Methodist Church Hall · OX11 8RQIllustrative photo · Nihal Demirci / UnsplashFind more like this near you
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About this class
Perform has been running at Didcot Methodist Church Hall since February 2013. Two year-groups take the hall back-to-back on Fridays: the 4–7s are in from 4pm to 5pm, then the 7–12s run from 5:05pm to 6:05pm. The current summer term runs from 17 April to 17 July, with no session on Friday 29 May. Producer Claudia leads classes week to week with teacher Natasha alongside her; Area Partner Gemma oversees the Didcot programme.
Every session weaves together three strands. The 4–7s work through Move & Feel — dances, rapid-reaction games and yoga-inspired mirroring — then Listen, Speak & Sing, where children learn specially composed songs, tongue-twisters and raps, and finally Create & Imagine, built around character work, storytelling and role-play. The 7–12s follow Acting & Improvising, Movement & Dance, and Speech & Singing, with a growing emphasis on vocal projection, physicality and presence. This summer the 4–7s theme is Mermaids & Pirates; the 7–12s are working on The Dream, Perform's take on A Midsummer Night's Dream. Class size is capped at 22 children and there are always two Perform staff in the room.
The curriculum is structured around what Perform calls the 4 Cs — Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination — woven into every game and exercise. Because Perform runs a rolling curriculum, children can join at any point during term rather than waiting for a new intake. Each week, parents receive an email from the Producer covering that session's focus. A personalised Feedback Form written by the Producer and signed by Principal Lucy Quick is also sent to parents. Three times a year, family and friends are invited to half-termly Open Workshops and end-of-term Presentations to see what 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. You can book through the Perform website by finding the Didcot venue, or speak to the team by phone.
Which age group should my child join?
The 4–7s class covers children aged four to seven; the 7–12s class covers seven to twelve. In the younger group, a mixed age range is deliberate — younger children are stretched and challenged by the group, while older children gain responsibility and begin to shape how activities go. For the 7–12s, previous experience matters less than character and enthusiasm.
How does booking work, and how many classes am I committing to?
Places are booked in blocks of ten consecutive classes, or in blocks of twenty. You can also renew to the end of term, or pay monthly by Direct Debit. Cancelling a session with three days' notice allows the credit to be held on your account for future use — missed classes cannot be added to the end of a block under any circumstances. If your child misses a Friday at Didcot, a make-up system allows attendance at another Perform venue, subject to availability. New customers who join the mailing list receive £30 off their first block of ten classes. Perform also accepts childcare vouchers, and a bursary scheme is available — contact the office for details.
What does a typical Friday session actually look like?
The 4–7s hour moves through three sections: physical warm-up games and movement, a singing and language section using specially composed songs and tongue-twisters, and a creative drama stretch involving character play and storytelling. The 7–12s follow a parallel structure with a growing focus on acting technique, vocal work and performance skills. Each week has a different focus within the current termly theme — this summer that is Mermaids & Pirates for the younger group and The Dream for the older one.
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Where it is
Approximate location (postcode area)