A Keighley-based performing arts academy has received high praise this week for their adaptation of the classic fairytale Snow White.
Performing for audiences over 5 nights at the Bingley Arts Centre, BOLT Academy’s “Snow White and the 37 Dwarfs," was brought to life by over 160 talented young performers at the local academy.
Written by Freddie Bolt, the founder of BOLT Academy, Bolt’s fresh take on Snow White included characters like “Evil Queen Karen”, “Gary White” and “Prince…Not so charming” and featured lead performances from Emily Walker and Phoebe Sharp as Snow White.
With an impressive ensemble of young performers taking to the stage and operating backstage as helpers, chaperones, runners, front of house, lighting, and sound engineers, the production was BOLT Academy’s biggest show to date and won high praise from the town’s local MP Robbie Moore, who took to social media after the show, saying: “I think I have just watched one of the best performances ever!”
Established in July 2019 by Yorkshire-born actor Freddie Bolt, BOLT Academy serves as a dynamic platform for young aspiring performers aged 3 and above. Its mission is to provide a nurturing environment where like-minded individuals can develop their skills, build confidence, and receive invaluable advice from industry professionals.
BOLT Academy aims to be the central hub for young actor training in the North of England, offering a clear pathway for performers with ambitions in the television, film, music and theatre industry. Last year, the Academy were voted by local people as Keighley and the wider area’s 2022 Best Small Business, taking the crown of Robbie Moore’s annual Small Business Awards.
Speaking after the show, Robbie Moore MP said:
“The hard work and talent on display by over 160 of BOLT Academy’s young performers was truly outstanding and their rendition of 'Snow White and the 37 Dwarfs' was one of the best performances I have ever seen. From the performers on-stage to those helping out backstage, Freddie Bolt and his whole team have worked so hard on this show. I can't thank BOLT Academy enough for all they do for our young people across Keighley and beyond.
Freddie Bolt and his team continue to provide such a fantastic environment for young and aspiring performers in our area. They are making a significant impact on the local performing arts landscape and I would highly recommend young people across Keighley and our wider area interested in the performing arts to get involved ahead of BOLT's next big show.”
Freddie Bolt, Founder of BOLT Academy said:
"We are very proud of all our team for putting this show together, it certainly has been one to remember. Our students as always have been fantastic throughout this whole process and they deserve all the credit they get for their performances. I feel very lucky to have such a talented and committed support group around me to enable us to produce these standards of shows our audience have now got used to watching. Our parents continually give up their time to help us at these shows and it is always such a fantastic atmosphere both on stage and behind the scenes. We now turn our attention to our movie night which will be on at Keighley cinema in July, then on to our two summer schools in August over the summer holidays.
I want to say a big thank you to Robbie for his continued support of BOLT Academy. We are delighted to have an MP who is an advocate of the arts and is passionate about young people in the Keighley area. We look forward to many more years working together."
