Show must go on for Limelight
LOCKDOWN COULD have made a drama out of a crisis but a Rastrick theatre group is taking centre stage – online.
Limelight Theatre School, based in Church Street, had a tough year in 2020 and things haven’t improved much in 2021.
But the couple behind the theatre group – James and Lisa McCann – were determined it wouldn’t be curtains for their business.
The creative couple moved their dance, drama and fitness classes online and they hope Zoom-time brings boom-time.
“It was a tough year last year,” said James. “But we have changed our business model and moved online. Rather than just tread water we want to build our business.
“We are running at a million miles an hour just to stand still and we can’t pretend the pandemic hasn’t been devastating for our income.
“But we have adapted our business to bring some fun and positivity and keep people involved and entertained in lockdown.”
Everything Limelight does has moved online with young and older taking part by video, either live or on demand.
Glofit fitness classes, Boogie Babes toddler dance sessions, drama classes and Saturday Social for kids of all ages are all proving popular.
Families pay £7 a week and can access any or all of the sessions so parents and children can all keep active and out of mischief.
A new session called Showfit, a fitness session based on musical theatre, will launch on January 26.
Every January and July Limelight puts on a show at the Victoria Theatre in Halifax. Last summer’s On the Box, based on TV themes, couldn’t go ahead and this month’s show has been cancelled too.
The stars of On the Box, however, are working on their routines at home and eventually they will be filmed and a DVD created.
The Limelight ladies can’t wait to get together in their Baywatch-style shorts and T-shirts and be filmed by drone!
James and Lisa, whose daughters Eliza, 13, and 10-yearold Molly also join in most classes, see their online offering as a big part of the business going forward.
“We are not limited by geography,” said James.
“People can join us from all over the country.
“Normally we have 14 kids in the studio for Boogie Babes but now people can tune in from anywhere.
“We have people from London and we want to go international.”
For more information go to www.thelimelight.live or search Facebook.
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