Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1085429
16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 FEBRUARY 2019 PERFORMING ARTS STAGECOACH Performing Arts Malta has helped set a new Guinness World Record by participating in a global Stagecoach schools perfor- mance event. Joining thousands of stu- dents from some 73 Stage- coach schools in the UK, Ger- many, Canada and around the world, Stagecoach Malta per- formed Disney's Beauty and the Beast Junior last summer at the Birmingham Symphony Hall in the UK. In the internationally chore- ographed event, all 73 schools' performances of the same show took place simultane- ously on 1 July 2018 from 6pm BST. Now that the event has been fully verified by independ- ent adjudicators, Stagecoach Malta has learned that the at- tempt was successful, thus se- curing a new Guinness World Record for the largest number of simultaneous performances of one show. "The students are thrilled to receive this news, given the work and preparation that went into masterminding this international event," said Ed- ward Mercieca, Principal of Stagecoach Malta. "We be- lieve events like these truly encapsulate the Stagecoach ethos of 'creative courage for life', and the success of Stage- coach Malta, and of the wider network, is something the students can be proud of for years to come." Smashing Stagecoach's pre- vious record of 66 perfor- mances of Glad Rags in 2008 which marked the school's 20th anniversary, this time the new Guinness World Record attempt was timed to coincide with another cause for cel- ebration – Stagecoach's 30th anniversary. Founded in 1988, Stagecoach inspires children through singing, dancing and acting classes, while aiming to make a difference in the children's lives. Notable international alum- ni including Emma Watson, Jamie Bell, Tom Fletcher and Danny Mac. Stagecoach commemorated its 30 years of success with both the world record-at- tempt, as well as a year-long calendar of events including tea parties and a Charity Ga- la in aid of YoungMinds, the UK's leading charity champi- oning the wellbeing and men- tal health of young people. As part of the Stagecoach network of more than 1,800 extra-curricular performing arts schools worldwide, Stage- coach Performing Arts Malta offers classes for children aged four to 18, with many local alumni pursuing professional performance careers and tak- ing on roles in international feature films and theatre pro- ductions. More information regard- ing Stagecoach Malta may be found online at www.stage- coach.com.mt Stagecoach Malta helps set new Guinness world record The local performing arts school joined others worldwide to break the record for the largest number of simultaneous performances of one show The Maltese group in Birmingham