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Whitby Dance Teacher to be Honoured in Birthday Show

Miss Barbara Benson-Smith has taught generations of dancers in the town.

Whitby Pavilion is set to produce a one-of-a-kind show to celebrate and honour the 90th Birthday of Barbara Benson-Smith MBE and her lifetime in show business. 

‘90 Not Out’ is to take to the stage on Friday 3 & Saturday 4 December and promises to be an entertainment extravaganza not to be missed.

The Pavilion will be celebrating the town's first lady of dance and stage with the help of local societies and schools including  Whitby’s Apollo Players, Benson Stage Academy, Whitby, Colebrooke Productions, Hannah Verity Dance Studios, Starstruck Performing Arts, Spot on Musicals, St Hilda's Studios, Whitby Amateur Dramatic Society and Whitby Area Musical Theatre Company.

In addition to the show being a tribute to Barbara Benson, who celebrate her 90th birthday last summer, the aim of the show is to raise money towards the refurbishment of the theatre dressing rooms to benefit of the future generations of performers.

Barbara was the founder and past Principal of the Benson Stage Academy from 1953 to 2009. Over that time she taught dance to hundreds of local youngsters. Pupils of the Academy have appeared with…Festival Ballet, Northern Theatre Ballet, plus other professional companies with some students going on to find success in TV, Film and Musical theatre.

In January 2012 Barbara was included in the New Year Honours List being awarded the M.B.E for lifelong service to Dance and her fund raising activities for the many charities she has supported all her life.

The celebratory show will take place at the Whitby Pavilion on December 3rd and 4th.

Tickets for All Events are on sale now and are available from the Whitby Pavilion Box Office by calling (01947) 824770, in person Tuesday – Thursday, 10am – 4pm and via www.whitbypavilion.co.uk

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