MOIRA Brock is incredibly proud when she talks about La Danse Fantastique, an arts school she founded which nurtures talented young actors.

The group has recently performed Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in the style of a musical, on a specially-built outdoor stage in Westley Heights country park in Langdon Hills.

The performance received rave reviews from audiences who repeatedly asked whether the adventurous show was staged by professionals.

In fact, the production was put on by young Basildon residents with special needs.

For Moira, the performance proved just how far La Danse Fantastique had come over the past 20 years.

The arts school has one subtle difference which sets it apart from the others, and one that has thrown a few obstacles its way too. It mixes ablebodied children and those with special needs.

The simple idea, to bring two groups together to share skills and friendships, is one which Moira had trouble to get people to understand.

Moira, of Mellow Purgess , Laindon, said: “It sounds so simple now, but at the time no one had tried it before.

“This is an industry which has the attainment of excellence at its core. People were very suspicious and didn’t want to make concessions or have an open mind.”

Moira herself found the idea daunting when she was first asked to teach a group of children with Down’s Syndrome at the Royal Academy of Dance.

She was 25 and had just started teaching after successfully touring the world singing and dancing.

Her career spans screen and stage, having starred in Doctor Who and the Two Ronnies, as well as on stages including the Palladium and Bloomsbury Theatre, in London.

She said: “I had no experience with special needs and didn’t know what to expect –Iwas very apprehensive.

“However, I had the most amazing time and loved every minute of the day.

“The children introduced me to a world which totally opened up my teaching skills and showed measide to life I’d never before experienced.”

Moira had got the teaching bug and honed her skills with the Royal Academy while struggling to get funding for La Danse Fantastique.

She said: “I can’t say this has been a walk in the park, but the results are outstanding and this will stand these children in great stead in the future.”

Moira’s faith in the concept has paid off. She now has 85 students and five teachers.

Students have starred in the Edinburgh Festival and performed Joseph, Oliver, Thumbelina, Cinderella and a pantomime. They have auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent and pupils have even started working in the industry.

Moira added: “I strongly believe everyone has something that isawow factor they can do exceptionally well – it’s about finding the key to unlock their ability.

“A lot of people who come in are failing in education, but performing A Midsummer Night’s Dream as well as they’ve done has gobsmacked everyone.”

Now Moira and her team are looking to take workshops into schools with special needs perfor mers and developing a work ethic to support them when they go to college and university.

She added: “If you’ve ever seen one of our performances, you’ll totally understand just what makes La Danse Fantastique so very, very, special.

“Of all the things I’ve done in my life, this is the one I’m most proud of. It’s given so many students a chance to be something very special.”

For more information on La Danse Fantastique, which meets throughout the week at the Salvation Army, in Cherrydown West, visit ladanse-fantastique.

co.uk