EastEnders actor and West End stage star John Partridge made a special visit to Highbridge at the weekend to lead two musical theatre singing workshops for juniors and adults.
The event, in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK, was held at Churchfield School in Highbridge and was attended by dozens of local people.
“John led a workshop in Highbridge two years ago that proved very successful. It was so much fun as he brought so much enjoyment to those he taught with his infectious, charming and flamboyant personality,” organiser Siobhan Johnson told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“We were so privileged and honoured to have him back again this year, especially as he came straight off the back of his La Cage Aux Folles UK Tour and raising money for his nominated charity Alzheimer’s Research UK.”
“He brought a touch of the West End to the Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge area and what a fabulous opportunity it was for us to experience it right on our doorstep!”
John led two workshops – a juniors group for 8-18 year-olds when he replicated a scene and song from a show – and an adults group for over-18s when he taught a song from a show.
In addition to the workshops there were Q&A sessions with him and photo opportunities.
As well as being a West End star of ‘Starlight Express,’ ‘Rent,’ ‘Grease’ and ‘Miss Saigon’, John is best known for playing the part of Christian Clarke (Jane’s brother) in EastEnders, which he joined in 2008.
John has worked extensively as a singer and dancer in musical theatre and is best known as the ‘Rum Tum Tugger’ in Andrew LLoyd Webber’s musical ‘Cats’ to which he toured all over Europe and ended up as playing the role in the official DVD film of ‘Cats.’ In addition to this role he also played the main roles of ‘Mr. Mistoffelees,’ ‘Alonzo,’ ‘Munkustrap’ and ‘The Rumpus Cat.’
He started out at the Royal Ballet School and went onto train at the Bush Davies School of Performing Arts School, followed by the Doreen Bird School of Performing Arts. After EastEnders in 2010 John, together with Sheila Hancock and Charlotte Church, was one of the judges for the new ‘Andrew LLoyd Webbers’ TV show ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’.
In 2014 he appeared as himself on the BBC’s show ‘Tumble,’ and has more recently appeared in 2014 and 2015 episodes of EastEnders for the funeral of ‘Lucy Beale’ as well celebrating their recent live 30th birthday episode. John is an active and strong supporter of the Alzheimer’s Society and in 2013 helped launch the Memory Walks in aid of his mother.
Pictured: John Partridge during his visit to Highbridge at the weekend
