Perform Drama Classes for 4-7s - Barbican

Yes — every child is entitled to a free trial class. Places in any given session are capped at 22 children, so it is worth checking availability and booking online or through the Producer before turning up.

The two groups are 4–7s and 7–12s. In the younger group, the mixed age range is deliberate: younger children are stretched by the group, and older children develop leadership skills through their role within it. For the 7–12s, Perform treats a child's character and previous experience as more relevant than their exact age, so if your child sits on the boundary it is worth a conversation with the team.

Classes are sold in blocks of 10 or 20 sessions, with options to renew to the end of term at a slightly higher rate per class, or to pay monthly by Direct Debit. New customers who join the mailing list receive £30 off their first block of 10. A bursary scheme is available for families who need support with costs, and Perform accepts childcare vouchers. Booking can be done online, by phone, or through the class Producer.

Missed classes cannot be added to the end of a block. There is, however, a make-up system that allows attendance at a different Perform venue, subject to availability — worth knowing if a session at Golden Lane has to be skipped.

Each class covers drama, dance and singing, with a different focus each week tied to the term's theme. This summer that is Mermaids & Pirates for the younger group and The Dream for the older children. Every activity connects back to Perform's four core areas: Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination. The curriculum is rolling, so children joining mid-term work alongside those who have been coming for longer — the two age groups progress at their own pace within a class capped at 22.