Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Perform runs weekly drama, dance and singing classes at Christ Church Centre on the High Street in Tunbridge Wells (TN1 1UT) every Saturday — two sessions for 4–7s at 9:30am and 11:15am, and a 7–12s class at 2:00pm. Every child can attend a free trial session before committing to a block.
Christ Church Centre · TN1 1UTIllustrative photo · Nihal Demirci / UnsplashFind more like this near you
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About this class
Perform has been running Saturday classes at Christ Church Centre in Tunbridge Wells since September 2006, making it one of the longer-standing venues in the Kent area. The Saturday timetable covers all primary school ages: two morning classes for 4–7s (9:30am and 11:15am) and one afternoon class for 7–12s (at 2:00pm), each 90 minutes long. Ila is the Producer who leads the classes week to week, joined by Matthew, with Area Partner Jade overseeing the Tunbridge Wells operation. The current term runs from 18 April to 18 July.
Each session weaves drama, dance and singing into a single class, structured in three sections. For the 4–7s this summer, the theme is Mermaids & Pirates — children set sail on the good ship the Jammy Dodger for storytelling, specially composed songs and movement games. The 7–12s are working through The Dream, Perform's take on A Midsummer Night's Dream reimagined around footballers, popstars and celebrities. Both programmes are built around what Perform calls The 4 Cs — Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination — which run through every activity rather than sitting as a separate lesson.
Class sizes are capped at 22 children, with two Perform staff members in the room at all times. Because Perform runs a rolling curriculum, children can join at any point during term without waiting for a new block to begin. Each term, parents receive a personalised written Feedback Form from Ila detailing their child's progress, signed by Principal Lucy Quick — alongside a weekly email covering that week's focus. Families are also invited to half-termly 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 at no charge. Book through the Perform website to reserve a place at one of the Saturday sessions at Christ Church Centre.
What ages are catered for at this venue?
The two morning classes are for 4–7s; the afternoon class at 2:00pm is for 7–12s. In the 4–7s group, the mixed age range is deliberate — younger children are stretched and stimulated by those around them, while older children develop confidence through informal leadership within the group. In the 7–12s class, age is less of a deciding factor than character and previous experience, which means children who are ready can move across without waiting for a birthday.
What happens in a typical session?
Each 90-minute class moves through three sections: movement and dance, drama and improvisation, and speech and singing. In the 4–7s class this term, content draws on the Mermaids & Pirates theme; the 7–12s are exploring The Dream, Perform's version of A Midsummer Night's Dream with a cast of footballers, popstars and celebrities. Every week has a different focus, and the activities always come back to the four core skills: confidence, concentration, communication and coordination.
How is booking structured?
Classes are purchased in blocks of 10 or 20 consecutive sessions. You can also renew to the end of term at a slightly higher per-class rate, or pay monthly by Direct Debit. Missed classes cannot be added to the end of a block, but Perform's make-up system lets your child attend a class at another venue if a place is available. Cancelling with three days' notice carries the unused credit forward to another Perform product — there are no refunds. A bursary scheme is available, and Perform accepts childcare vouchers; call the office for details on either.
What about a joining discount?
New customers who sign up to the Perform mailing list receive £30 off their first block of 10 classes.
What should my child wear?
Comfortable clothes that allow free movement are all that is needed — sessions involve active games, dance and floor work, so nothing restrictive.
Summary drafted with AI assistance from the provider's published details and reviewed before publishing — how we use AI.
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