Altrincham’s Premier Dance School
The ethos of Cardwell Theatre School, Altrincham is to maintain a happy environment where children can develop their creativity and a love of dance whilst allowing them to achieve their full potential. We accept boys and girls as students from age 2½ to adult. There is a class for everyone from beginner to advanced level as well as vocational training.
- Cardwell Theatre School has excellent results for both IDTA and RAD examinations.
- Pupils regularly appear in pantomime and professional shows, the most recent being Aladdin at the Manchester Opera House, Dick Whittington and Annie at the Garrick Altrincham and Oliver at Sale Waterside
- Former students have performed with English National Ballet, The Royal Ballet Flanders, Univeral Studios and Disneyland. Also in West End and touring production of Wicked, Flashdance, Once, 42nd Street, We Will Rock You, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Shrek The Musical Uk Tour, Billy Elliot, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat and Sunny Afternoon. Also with several major cruise companies and in cabaret around the U.K.
History of the dancing school
Principal Lynda Cardwell began her teaching career in 1973 when she opened a theatre school at the Carpi Ballroom, Platt Lane Rusholme. For the next fifteen years she was to train students who would continue in the profession as both teachers and performers. Former pupils went on to appear in many West End shows as well as on television and in drama productions.
In 1985 Lynda was appointed an examiner for IDTA and now, as a Senior Examiner and member of the ballet faculty was jointly responsible for the production of the new grade syllabus launched 2012. She regularly examines, lectures and adjudicates both in this country and abroad.
Move to Altrincham dance studio
The next milestone in Lynda’s career came in 1988 when the Lynda Cardwell School of dancing and the Barbara Sharples School of Dancing merged to form the Sharples Theatre School, later to be renamed the Sharples Cardwell Theatre School. This was the most successful venture that continued for eleven years until the retirement of Miss Sharples in July 1999.
In September 2015 Lynda was very happy to welcome in Sophie Robinson and Lisa Dunn as Junior Partners in the School.