Teachers
MARGARET MANSI A.R.A.D / A.I.S.T.D
Maggie founded Lamberhurst School Of Theatre Dance in 1977 after she retired from the professional theatre. She started her career with London Festival Ballet Company (now renamed English National Ballet Company). She then performed at the London Palladium where she was head dancer for several productions. She appeared in several West End
Musicals ending with two years in ‘Showboat’ at London’s Adelphi Theatre.
KIRSTY COOPER A.I.S.T.D (DDI)
Kirsty has worked extensively as a dancer and actress including Nancy in ‘Oliver’, Iris in ‘Fame’ and dancer in ‘Fusion’, ‘That’s Entertainment’, ‘The Fifth Dimension’ and ‘All That Jazz’. She was also a backing dancer for Kylie Minogue on ‘The Kylie Show’. Kirsty has created her own dance group ‘Storm’ which performed twice at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London, and has choreographed ‘The Secret Garden’. We are very pleased that Kirsty has joined us to teach R.A.D. Ballet, I.S.T.D Tap & Modern & Street Jazz.
RACHEL ELLIOTT A.I.D.T.A
Rachel has been associated with Lamberhurst School of Dance since 1987 when her then 3 year old daughter started ballet with Maggie Mansi. She has been taking ballet classes here
since approximately 1992. Rachel began her training in Maidstone, and then went on to full time training at the prestigious school Bush Davies, in East Grinstead. She gained all her major exams in ballet, modern, tap, national and drama. Rachel worked professionally as a dancer and actress all over the country for 22 years, including the Victoria Palace as Head Dancer, four years with the Black and White Minstrel show, and numerous TV acting commitments including “Jonathan Creek”, “The Bill”, “Eastenders”, “The House of Elliott” to name but a few. She choreographs for Cranbrook Operatic and Showtimers, recently completing “The King and I”, “Aladdin”and “Anything Goes” . Rachel is about to start work on ’Oklaholma’. Rachel takes many workshops in local schools and colleges and is married to professional comedian Brian Patton who is currently touring in “Chucklevision” all around the country.
AMANDA LEDGER
Amanda trained at The Alma Rippon Stage School, Bush Davies and Arts Educational School. She studied ISTD and RAD in ballet tap and modern to advanced level, singing, drama and musical
theatre. Amanda has performed in many shows, worked with different touring groups, travelling to Bahrain, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong. She also worked as a fitness instructor in Covent Garden. Amanda is now also a qualified early years’ practitioner (Senco) and special needs advisor, she holds a CACHE Level 3 NVQ in Children’s Care, Learning and Development. Amanda holds a peadiatric first aid certificate and is also a full time Mum.
CHRIS GIDNEY
Chris comes from a show business family and at age nine formed a comedy magic double-act with his father. Since then he has spent a lifetime in the profession as entertainer, producer/director
and author, working with numerous artistes from the legendary Frank Sinatra to Sir Cliff Richard. Joining London’s West-End in 1980 he enjoyed twelve consecutive productions before moving to BBC Television, working on such classic programmes as Blue Peter and That’s Life with Esther Rantzen. Based on his extensive friendships within the profession, he has 28 books commercially published covering various aspects of life in show business. Chris’s hardbacks include the best-selling Celebrating Secombe for Sir Harry Secombe, Rock on Tommy for Cannon & Ball, Under No Illusion for Paul Daniels, Vicar to Dad’s Army with Frank Williams, Little by Little with Syd Little, Tapestry Tales with Dora Bryan and Show Me The Way with Wendy Craig. Chris has also written
for the BBC and numerous periodicals. As a Director and Producer Chris is responsible for a number of unique stage, television and radio productions, whilst his recording company Fusion, produced several music, audio and DVD releases. In 2004 he co-founded That’s Entertainment Productions, which specialises in bringing high quality family entertainment to the commercial theatre.
TEP produces summer shows for popular resorts such as Blackpool and Eastbourne and often has several productions on tour at any one time. Chris formed the show business Charity CIE in 1982 which continues to provide backstage support for professionals in the entertainment industry, and he remains the Director of this organisation. Chris has a grown up family and enjoys living in Sussex.