CWMBRAN is to have its very own Fame Aca-demy - when a new stage school opens its doors to budding act-ors, dancers and singers.

The Nidus Theatre Arts school is unusual, because the teachers are working professional performers.

Their experience include performances in TV series and mus-icals such as Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera and Sunset Boulevard.

The school's Princ-ipal, Gabriela 'Gabi' Nicholson-Dunbar, has come back to her roots after a successful dancing career spanning 20 years.

She was born in Newport and moved to Cwmbran at the age of five. Originally trained in dance by the late Myra Silcox in Pontypool, she gained a place at a top London ballet school in Covent Garden at the age of 16.

Her husband, Nich-olas Dunbar, trained by his mother Chris-tine Dunbar, a res-pected dance teacher and examiner, attended the Arts Edu-cational School in Chiswick, London.

Between them, the couple have played leading roles in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Mal Maison's Napoleon, Phantom of the Opera and Sunset Boulevard.

She said: "I have been dancing for just over 20 years and have decided to do something of my own.

"It's nice to come back and to give a bit back to the children in the area. "We want the classes to be fun and stimulating but at the same time teach them about commitment."

Nidus will offer classes in singing, drama and dance to children aged between eight and 15.

Students can also take part in workshops with guest teachers. The aim is to bring a wealth of experience and insight into the professional world of theatre, TV and the performing arts to students at their Hollybush School-based classes. Students who sign up will also be learn skills from actress Adrienne O'Sullivan, who has been working as an actress for the last 15 years.

Auditions for the Nidus Theatre Arts School start on Saturday, April 5. For further information contact the school on 07810 880778 or 07970 770142.