In pictures: Anna Fiorentini Theatre and Film School’s variety show at the Hackney Empire

Budding young actors wowed the audience as they sung and danced their hearts out at the Hackney Empire for the Anna Fiorentini Theatre and Film School variety show.

Performers in the Anna Fiorentini show, photo Peter Gettins - Credit: Credit: Peter Gettins

The drama school pupils aged between seven and 18 delivered West End quality performances at the iconic Mare Street theatre on Saturday night, belting out songs like the Lion Kings’s Born Free and Disney’s Do You Want To Build A Snowman?, along with older classics from West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof.

Guest performer Jermain Jackman, former Fiorentini pupil and winner of the BBC’s The Voice UK singing contest, told the young stars how impressed he was with their talent.

He then delivered a moving performance of Dionne Warwick’s A House Is Not A Home, which he dedicated to his grandmother who recently passed away.

Anna Fiorentini said she was proud of her staff and team.

“The professionalism of the show, and the standing ovation at the end, just highlights what can be achieved with hard work and dedication,” she added.

“Unfortunately such successful nights highlight even more how sad it is that we cannot get any major funding to support even more young people, but we will continue with fundraising events and hiring out our performance troupe in exchange for charitable donations.”