Liverpool Theatre School Students shine in masterclass with West End star

Liverpool Theatre School students are tap dancing their way to success after participating in a show-stopping masterclass with West End performer Graeme Henderson.

The tap dancing sensation, known for his performances in the original version of 42nd Street at Drury Lane and starring opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones in the legendary musical, visited Liverpool Theatre School to put students through their paces.

During the masterclass, Liverpool Theatre School’s elite dance and musical theatre students had the unique opportunity to learn tap routines from 42nd Street.

The routines featured classic show tunes such as “We’re in the Money,” “I Only Have Eyes for You,” and “Lullaby of Broadway.” Beyond the routines, students also got valuable insights and advice on breaking into the industry.

Henderson shared stories from his journey as a performer, offering tips and inspiration to the next generation of stage stars.

Liverpool-born Graeme Henderson, who has starred in three West End productions of 42^nd Street and two national tours of the show, said:

“It’s been a real pleasure meeting students at Liverpool Theatre School. Their energy and enthusiasm is just phenomenal and I was absolutely blown away by how quickly they picked up the dance routines. I hope they found the masterclass both inspiring and fun.” 

Speaking on Graeme Henderson’s visit to Liverpool Theatre School, Principal, Maxine Ellis, said:

“Graeme is an incredible performer and choreographer. His tap dancing masterclass was absolutely fantastic and every one of our students enjoyed learning show-stopping sequences from the musical he’s best known for, 42^nd Street. 

“As part of our commitment to providing the highest level of musical theatre and dance training to students in Liverpool, we regularly invite respected performers and industry professionals to deliver workshops at Liverpool Theatre School. We’re hugely grateful to Graeme for taking the time to work with our students and share his expertise with the next generation of professional performers.” 

Nathan Power (17) from Southport, who was awarded the Sir Ken Dodd scholarship to train at Liverpool Theatre School, was among the students who attended the masterclass.

Nathan Power said:

“I’ve learned so much from the session with Graeme. He must have performed 42^nd Street hundreds of times, so there really is no-one better to teach us routines from the show. It was an unforgettable experience.”

Liverpool Theatre School provides professional training in dance, musical theatre and acting, with a range of BTEC courses and elite programmes accredited by Trinity College London.

All places are awarded to the most talented students through a strict audition process. Alumni include Natalie Pilkington, who is touring in SIX; Oliver Ormson, star of the West End adaptation of Frozen; and Tim Lucas, who is touring in Blood Brothers. 

In a bid to make professional training more accessible to all young performers, particularly those from working class backgrounds, Liverpool Theatre School allocates a number of fully funded scholarships and bursaries to talented students every year.

The Ofsted ‘outstanding’ school is one of just 15 places in the country, and the only one in Merseyside, to offer the DaDAs (Dance and Drama Awards) to support students with the cost of professional training. 

Liverpool Theatre School, whose patrons include dance legend Wayne Sleep OBE, as well as stage and screen star Anita Dobson, also runs a junior academy, providing evening and weekend classes for all young people (aged 4 -16) with a passion for singing, dancing and acting. 

The prestigious performing arts school, which is celebrating its 85^th anniversary this year, is tucked away on Sefton Street, just a stone’s throw from the city’s Creative Quarter.

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