Photo Flash: Sneak Peek - WEST SIDE STORY to Launch Factory Playhouse in Hitchin

Local boy Emil Dale set up his business six years ago with only £60 worth of VistaPrint flyers and 22 children. The first EDSA weekend school rehearsal was held in the school hall in St Andrews in Hitchin. Today, Emil has one of the biggest performing arts schools in the country, training people full and part time from all over the country, as well as a talent agency, and he has achieved this without having to take out any loans. Based in HITCHIN, the EDSA headquarters is a 12,000 sq ft, 3 storey building with 5 massive dance studios. On the 1st of May, Emil will open a brand NEW not-for-profit theatre in a disused factory in Hitchin.

"I was told never to set up a theatre school in Hertfordshire as it is one of the most saturated areas in the country. Thank goodness I didn't take no for an answer! I now train over 500 people a week, recently opened another school in Cambridge, have a 12,000 sq ft three storey building with 5 studios, a very successful talent agency and am just about to open my very own theatre," Dale said.

He added: "Emil Dale School of Performing Arts was set up with £60 worth of Vista Print flyers 6 years ago. I didn't come from any money I just worked all hours to get it off the ground. I have never been driven by money only passion. People often think we are rolling in it, but every penny goes back into the business. I have recently just moved back in with my mother to set up so I can save the money to set up the not for profit business."

The brand new Factory Playhouse Hitchin in Hertfordshire will open its doors on Friday 1st May 2015, attracting industry professionals from all over the country who are attending the press night! Famous choreographers, directors, casting agents and theatre critics will be attending the performances.

"The theatre will have a very Shoreditch feel without being pretentious! Deck chairs in the box office and an industrial looking bar serving wine and cheese boards with an outside seating area for summer nights. You can even watch the show on one of our SOFA SEATS. Yes! We are offering a select number of real sofa seats in the auditorium to put your feet up like you are at home with your friends or family," Dale said.

He contined: "It promises to thrill all theatre lovers! This space will be one of the most exciting and innovative places to see theatre in Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas. Our first show will use an electronic automated revolve, and our production of West Side Story is set in the traverse, which is basically like a train platform with the audience either side. This allows audiences to really feel part of the action."

Be part of this exciting and intimate experience with an incredible young cast of 32 performers who are currently training professionally at Emil Dale Academy. This incredible cast of 32 performers 17-24 years old. The cast credits include Billy Elliot in the West End, television shows & the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain.

The first show will be WEST SIDE STORY accompanied by a LIVE 9 piece West End band conducted by Phil Dennis (currently conducts on Billy Elliot in the West End & worked on We Will Rock You.) The brand NEW Factory Playhouse in Hitchin presents WEST SIDE STORY (30th April - 2nd May 2015.) Scroll down for a sneak peek at the stars!

Emil Dale grew up in a council house in Biggleswade and used to take part in amateur dramatic societies in Hitchin and Letchworth. Emil was struggling to find the money to train professionally until he auditioned successfully and was offered a scholarship at Arts Educational Schools London (Andrew Lloyd Webber's Theatre school). After training, he returned to Hertfordshire and set up his school and the rest is history!