EASTENDERS stars Belinda Owusu and Charlie Jones are to appear as guest presenters in a new show in London’s real East End on Sunday, when the Fiorentini Theatre & Film academy holds its first show for its new Isle of Dogs branch

By Mike Brooke

EASTENDERS stars Belinda Owusu and Charlie Jones are to appear as guest presenters in a theatre school's new show in London's real East End.

The award-winning Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film academy holds its first show for its new Isle of Dogs branch on Sunday.

Belinda, who plays Libby Fox in the BBC soap, is an ex-student of the school. Charlie, who plays Ben Mitchell, still attends.

The Variety performance will show the talent of 50 youngsters aged seven to 18, who follow a time-table of drama/film, dance and singing every Wednesday evening.

The show includes numbers from West End musicals like Les Miserable, Mary Poppins and Oliver. Chief choreographer Mark Short has directed performers in the past including Tina Turner, Peter Andre and Ant n' Dec.

The Anna Fiorentini School was set up nine years ago as a Prince's Trust business in Hackney and has since won three Business awards, a Social Investor award and a 'highly commended' Diversity in Business accolade.

Anna opened her second branch on the Isle of Dogs in 2008, despite receiving no funds over the last six years.

Yet the school has played a key role in East London, helping more than 200 children every week to develop in confidence and keeping them away from East London's street crime menace.

Sunday's one-hour show is on twice at Bethnal Green's Oxford House community centre in Derbyshire Street, off Bethnal Green Road, at 5.30pm and 7pm.

The school is offering children a free 'taster' evening next Wednesday (June 16), from 5pm to 8pm, reservations by phone 020-7682 1403, or by email here.