December 18, 2019 4.59 pm This story is over 59 months old

CBeebies and soap star couple expand Lincoln theatre school

The popularity of the classes prompted the move

James Lockwood, Banks Long & Co Surveyor, with Sarah Jane's family - son Phoenix, Sarah Jane, her husband Ayden Callaghan and their other son Indiana.

A former CBeebies presenter and her soap star husband are moving their Lincoln theatre school into a bigger city centre premises due to the popularity of the classes.

Former television presenter Sarah Jane Honeywell and Ayden Callaghan, who is best known for his previous roles in Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, opened The Curious Theatre School at Bailgate Methodist Church Hall in Lincoln on September 14.

At the time Sarah told The Lincolnite it would be less about traditional teaching methods and more about going on a journey with the children. The theatre school has grown so much in three months that a new premises was needed.

Lincoln-based chartered surveyor Banks Long & Co showed Sarah around Wolsey’s Rest on Grantham Street, which was a former St John Ambulance headquarters. The firm then leased it to her for The Curious Theatre School’s new home.

The Curious Theatre School co-owners Sarah Jane Honeywell and Ayden Callaghan.

Mother-of-two Sarah said: “I used to hold classes in Bailgate Methodist Church Hall, but I grew rapidly to have 60 pupils. The Church Hall hosts a lot of other regular meetings and clubs, so I had to look elsewhere.”

Sarah is also trying to hone the talents of wannabe stars of the stage, theatre and television, giving them expert tuition through a variety of classes in the school.

She has also signed up three special patrons to help add more glamour to her venture – comedian and actor Joe Pasquale, residential director of the West End Show School of Rock Alan Bradshaw, and former Eastenders actor John Partridge.

There will also be sessions for adults in the near future, with script writing, directing and acting classes for all ages.

Sarah added: “When I was shown our upper floor premises in Grantham Street, I immediately fell in love with them and we were able to get the necessary planning permission to alter them for our needs. We have even added a video editing area and we have a stairlift offering easier access for those with disabilities.

“I want the school to foster a great sense of community because I think that it is very important that the arts are supported by and looked after by members of the community.

“At the end of the day, my real aim is to build young people’s confidence by taking a flexible approach to helping their find their role within the performing arts world.”