Actress Pauline Quirke's latest performing arts academy is to open in Norwich later this month.
The Pauline Quirke Academy - a weekend performing arts school for four to 18-year-olds – will open at Open Academy in Salhouse Road on Saturday, September 23.
Ms Quirke, who starred in the BBC One sitcom Birds of a Feather, said: 'When we opened our first academy in 2007 our mission was simply to provide the very best performing arts education.
'We've grown a lot since then, but that mission hasn't changed.
'By working with people we believe are outstanding in their field, we aim to bring the widest, most exciting experience to our students in an environment that is both friendly and rewarding.'
The Pauline Quirke Academy was started by Ms Quirke and her producer husband Steve Sheen in 2007 with an academy in their local town, Beaconsfield, and there are now about 150 Pauline Quirke Academies across the country.
PQA teaches students modules in comedy and drama, musical theatre, and film and television, and students are also given the chance to take part in in-house productions and showcases.
Students can also have the chance to see their short film projects on the big screen at a local cinema, with some films selected for the PQA Film Festival in London.
There are also opportunities to take part in PQA shows in London's West End.
All students are offered group exams through Trinity College London.
Ms Quirke, who first discovered her love of acting at an after school club when she was nine-years-old, is most famous for her role as Sharon Theodopolopodous in the BBC One sitcom Birds of a Feather which ran for 127 from 1986 to 2016.
She has also appeared in many other shows including The Sculptress, Maisie Raine, Down to Earth, Emmerdale and Broadchurch.
In 2017 she is celebrating more than 50 years in showbusiness and the 10th anniversary of establishing the Pauline Quirke Academy.
PQA Norwich is holding a free open day on Saturday, September 23 from 1.45pm to 5pm at Open Academy, in Salhouse Road, Norwich.
For more information, visit www.pqacademy.com or call 0800 531 6282.
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