Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Perform runs weekly drama, dance and singing classes at St James Church Hall, 11 Prebend Street, Islington N1 8PF, for children aged 4–7 and 7–12. Sessions are on Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Every child can attend a free trial class before committing to a block.
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About this class
Perform has been running classes at St James Church Hall in Islington since September 2012, so there is an established, familiar rhythm to it — the kind of place where a child quickly works out where to hang their coat. Sessions run every week during term time on Thursdays and Saturdays. The current summer term runs from 11th April to 18th July; there is no session on Thursday 28th May, and the half-term break (Mon 25th – Fri 29th May) also falls within this term, so check the Perform term-dates page for the full picture before booking travel.
There are two age groups. The 4–7s class is on Thursdays from 4:00pm to 5:00pm and on Saturday mornings from 9:30am to 11:00am. The 7–12s slot runs straight after — Thursdays from 5:05pm to 6:05pm and Saturdays from 11:15am to 12:45pm. Each class is capped at 22 children and always has two Perform staff members in the room. The teachers here are Faith and Maisie; Joanna and Niyi are the local Producers, and Jade and Oliver carry out Area Partner supervisory visits.
Every session combines drama, dance and singing. The 4–7s summer term theme is Mermaids & Pirates, built around storytelling, character work and plenty of movement — good for younger children who do their best thinking when they are also moving. The 7–12s theme is The Dream, a retelling of A Midsummer Night's Dream with footballers, pop stars and celebrities alongside the Shakespearean cast, which gives older children genuinely meaty material to improvise and perform with. Across both groups, the curriculum is designed around four core areas — Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination — woven into every activity rather than bolted on as a separate lesson. Because Perform uses a rolling curriculum, children can join at any point in the term rather than having to wait for a new block to start.
When it runs
Good to know
Common questions
Can my child try a session before we commit?
Yes — every child can attend a free trial class. You can book online through the Perform website, contact the local Producer directly, or call the Perform office.
How are classes booked and paid for?
Classes are bought in blocks of 10 or 20 sessions. You can also renew to the end of term, which is charged at a slightly higher rate per class, or spread the cost via a monthly Direct Debit. Perform accepts childcare vouchers, and a bursary scheme is available for families who need support with the cost. New customers who sign up to 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. However, Perform operates a make-up system that lets your child attend a session at a different venue instead, subject to availability. If you need to cancel, three days' notice allows the unused sessions to be converted to account credit for use on other Perform products.
What age groups run at this venue, and does age matter strictly?
The two groups are 4–7s and 7–12s. In the younger class a mixed age range is intentional — older children gain confidence by taking a lead, while younger ones are stretched by being alongside them. In the 7–12s group, character and previous experience carry more weight than hitting an exact birthday.
What happens in a typical session?
Both groups cover drama, dance and singing within each class, with a different focus every week. In the 4–7s sessions the three sections are movement and games (including yoga-inspired exercises and rapid-reaction activities), songs and tongue-twisters, and character and storytelling work. The 7–12s sessions cover acting and improvisation (including vocal projection and physicality), movement and dance, and speech and singing that includes vocal work and basic musical reading. The current summer themes are Mermaids & Pirates for the 4–7s and The Dream for the 7–12s.
Will I hear how my child is getting on?
Yes. The local Producer sends a weekly email summarising that week's focus. Each child also receives a personalised written Feedback Form detailing their progress, signed by Perform's Principal, Lucy Quick.
Summary drafted with AI assistance from the provider's published details and reviewed before publishing — how we use AI.
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