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Dateline: 9th February, 2010
Hackney Goes Dark with a Sell-Out Sunday saw the last performance to be staged at the Hackney Empire before it goes dark for a while when 150 children performed in front of a sell-out, 1,200 strong crowd in the Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School Variety Performance 2010. The show, watched by an audience including X Factor star Rachel Adedeji as well as former student Belinda Owusu, who plays Libby Fox in BBC series EastEnders, saw students from the East London enterprise perform a range of sets including theatre and musicals. EastEnders cast member Charlie Jones (who plays Ben Mitchell) was one such pupil to take part, whilst the show also saw Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati, who plays Sunita Alahan, speak. On the success of the night, Anna Fiorentini said, "I am truly amazed at what my students and staff manage to achieve each year - a truly spectactular show that could easily be put on the West End stage." The Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School is dedicated to providing first-class education to all, regardless of their race, wealth or background. The organisation has been featured in the national press for helping to locate funding for, and nurture the talent of actors such as Leilah Isaacs (who starred in Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London). The students received direction and choreography from leading industry professionals, including Lucy Skilbeck, who recently directed Spring Awakening; Jay Henry, one-time vocal coach who worked with the likes of George Michael, Mariah Carey and Craig David, and Mark Short, who has choreographed routines for Tina Turner and Peter Andre. Anna Fiorentini has been commended for her all-inclusive business model, winning a Business of London Award in 2002 as well as the Most Sustainable Business of London title from Shell LiveWire in 2001 and 2004. The Hackney Empire is now closing for at least nine months as the board reconsider its direction and Anna Fiorentini expressed her desire to perform the 10th Anniversary showcase next year at the same venue, saying, "It's a grand theatre which will re-open, and when it does it needs all theatre lovers to support it by going to see its shows."
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