Perform drama classes for 4-7s
Perform runs weekly drama, dance and singing classes for children aged 4–7 and 7–12 at St James Church Hall, 11 Prebend Street, Islington, N1 8PF — on Thursdays and Saturdays during term time. Every child can attend a free trial session before committing.
St James Church Hall · N1 8PFIllustrative photo · Nihal Demirci / UnsplashFind more like this near you
Enter your postcode to compare nearby drama & dance and other family activities.
About this class
Perform has been running at St James Church Hall since September 2012. Thursday classes run 4:00–5:00pm (4–7s) and 5:05–6:05pm (7–12s), led by Joanna and Maisie with Area Partner Oliver. On Saturdays, Niyi and Faith take the 9:30–11:00am slot (4–7s) and 11:15am–12:45pm (7–12s), with Jade as Area Partner. The current summer term runs from 11 April to 18 July, with no Thursday session on 28 May. This term, the 4–7s are working through a Mermaids & Pirates theme; the 7–12s are tackling The Dream, Perform's adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Each session combines drama, dance and singing. The 4–7s class moves through three sections: physical warm-ups and yoga-inspired exercises; specially composed songs, tongue-twisters and raps; then character explorations, storytelling and role-play. For the 7–12s, the structure shifts gear — acting games and improvisation build presence and vocal projection; movement work develops coordination; speech and singing sessions give most children a solo or featured moment. Every class has two Perform staff and is capped at 22 children.
The curriculum is built around what Perform calls the 4 Cs: Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination — woven through every activity rather than treated as abstract goals. Because Perform runs a rolling curriculum, there is no need to wait for a term start; a child can join when they are ready. Parents receive a weekly email from the Producer summarising that session's focus, and a personalised written feedback form — signed by Principal Lucy Quick — is sent during the term.
When it runs
Good to know
Common questions
Can we come along for a taster before signing up?
Yes — every child is entitled to a free trial session at St James Church Hall, with no obligation to enrol. You can book online, via the class Producer, or by phone.
Which age group does my child join?
Classes run for 4–7s and 7–12s. In the younger group a mixed age range is deliberate: older children develop informal leadership while younger ones are stretched by the group. In the 7–12s, previous experience and character count for more than exact age — so children at the boundary of the age groups are catered for on that basis rather than being filtered out.
How are sessions booked and paid for?
Classes are sold in blocks of 10 or 20 sessions. You can also renew to the end of term — at a slightly higher rate per class — or pay monthly by Direct Debit. A bursary scheme is available, and Perform accepts childcare vouchers. New customers who join the mailing list receive £30 off their first block of 10 classes.
What happens if we miss a session?
Missed classes cannot be added to the end of a block under any circumstances. A make-up system allows children to attend another Perform venue to cover a missed session, subject to availability. Note that Thursday classes have no session on 28 May.
What does a session actually look like?
For 4–7s, each class moves through movement and games, songs and raps, and imaginative role-play — all tied to this term's Mermaids & Pirates theme. The 7–12s work through acting and improvisation, movement and dance, and speech and singing. Every class has two Perform staff and no more than 22 children.
Summary drafted with AI assistance from the provider's published details and reviewed before publishing — how we use AI.
Where it is
Approximate location (postcode area)