Helen O’Grady Drama Academy will share the same franchise business model as Stagecoach with expectations to expand globally
International live entertainment company, Trafalgar Entertainment, has bolstered its education division by adding the children’s extra-curricular drama specialist organisation, Helen O’Grady Drama Academy, to its education portfolio. The Helen O’Grady Drama Academy has been in operation for over 40 years and provides education in 36 countries, with over 100,000 students studying one hour of drama each week.
The business will run alongside Stagecoach Performing Arts with more than 300 franchises in seven countries, led by executive chairperson Helen Enright. Trafalgar Entertainment acquired Stagecoach three years ago, and Helen O’Grady Drama Academy will share the same franchise business model, with expectations to expand globally.
Rosemary Squire, joint CEO of Trafalgar Entertainment, is looking forward to bringing quality performing arts sessions to more children throughout the UK. She said: “The Helen O’Grady Drama Academy ethos of self-development is about boosting confidence and communication skills in children, many of whom seek to improve their self-esteem. Sadly, arts education funding is being squeezed from the national curriculum, so it is vitally important that a drama provision like this is made available to everyone. Trafalgar Entertainment believes that inspiring children through the creative arts is an important investment for the future.”
Today’s expansion of Trafalgar Entertainment’s portfolio comes after a busy year of acquisitions, including a 70-year lease to run 1575-seat Olympia Theatre. This will be the biggest new permanent theatre to open in London since the 1970s and the refurbishment and relaunch of Trafalgar Theatre in London’s West End. Late last year, Australia’s 1200-seat Theatre Royal in Sydney – which has just undergone a complete refurbishment, was reopened with Trafalgar Entertainment as the new owners. In addition, in recent months the group has completed the acquisition of HQ Theatres and Hospitality including 12 theatres regionally across the UK, and the opening of new luxury members club cinema complex, Chiswick Cinema in London.
Andy Knights, joint CEO of Stagecoach Performing Arts, is proud to be part of such a progressive and successful group. He said: “Having worked closely with the team at Trafalgar Entertainment since their investment in Stagecoach back in 2018, it’s wonderful to witness such rapid growth and investment in great concepts such as Helen O’Grady. We’re excited to work alongside the fantastic team from Helen O’Grady and to bring their quality sessions to more children around the UK.”
