Around 40 children put on a glitzy musical show for friends and family at the weekend to celebrate the end of a 10-week theatrical course.

The Broadland Theatre Workshop held its Showcase performance with youngsters aged from four to 18 from schools around the area.

The younger children performed scenes from the Sound of Music, while the older students put on a production of High School Musical.

Professional help with lighting, music and costumes meant that the performance, at Norwich High School for Girls, had all the polish of a show at a large theatre and the children stepped up to the challenge with their singing and dancing.

Friends and family were there to watch the show and cheer on the students.

James Harwood, 10, from Old Catton, studies at St Thomas Moore School but attends the theatre workshops that run three times a year for the chance to appear in regular plays.

He said: 'At school we all do plays, but not as much as this.

'I have fun. It's going well, I'm just a bit nervous.

'My dad says I should be an actor or a performer when I'm older. I do like it, I like performing.

'I only get nervous if I'm not suite sure what I'm doing. I'm a bit shaky but I think I'll pull it off,' he added.

Katy Carroll, from Broadland School of Dance, runs the workshops and said that the performance had gone off without a hitch.

She said: 'They all seemed to enjoy it, and so did the parents.

'I think no matter how much you rehearse it, nothing prepares them for when there's someone watching.

'We had more people than we anticipated, so we had to rush around and put some more seats out at the beginning.

'It's nice to have some support from friends and family,' she added.

The workshops are designed to build confidence and self-esteem, as well as to teach theatre skills.

Every student studies dance, drama and singing during the course, which culminates in a final showcase performance in front of friends and family.

Each course runs during school terms for 10 Saturdays.

t Are you taking part in a local performance? Call reporter Matthew Sparkes on 01603 772439 or email matthew.sparkes@archant.co.uk