A NEW theatre school has been opened in Weston by a teaching assistant who has stepped onto the stage with Catherine Zeta Jones.

A NEW theatre school has been opened in Weston by a teaching assistant who has stepped onto the stage with Catherine Zeta Jones.

Ailsa Barrett has opened Re:Act at The Campus in Highlands Lane, Weston.

The 40-year-old has been performing since she was five and was Catherine's first dance partner at the Hazel Johnson School of Dance in Swansea.

Ailsa said: "Catherine was five when we met.

"She was beautiful even then and always got the great roles such as Nancy in Oliver while I ended up with the boy roles.

"As we grew up we auditioned together for Annie and Bugsy Malone in the West End.

"The last time we met was about 10 years ago when I was playing Nancy in an amateur production of Oliver and Catherine came backstage to see me and wish me good luck."

Ailsa works as a teaching assistant at Worle Community School and runs the school's theatre club. She has also choreographed numerous amateur shows in Swansea.

The theatre school is a new venture for her.

The mother-of-two said: "I teach musical theatre skills including dancing and singing to children of all abilities.

"Two classes are held every Saturday morning, one for youngsters aged six to eight and the other for nine to 17 year olds.

"The main aim is to have fun and it is amazing to see how much their confidence grows in just a short time.

"I am planning a summer show in July and a pantomime in December."

For more details call 07505 941 461.