Masquerades Summer Week Returns in 2026!

This August, Masquerades is bringing back something truly special, a full summer week intensive, and this year we are doing Grease In A Week!

Taking place from Monday 17th to Friday 21st August, this five day performing arts experience is open to all young people aged 5 to 18 years across Bedfordshire. Four days will be spent at Cople Village Hall near Bedford, before the whole group comes together for a spectacular performance day at Stratton Upper School in Biggleswade on the Friday. Yes, a real show. A proper performance. And your child will be part of it.

What to Expect?

Masquerades Summer Weeks have a long and much loved history. Previously for over 15 years, these weeks ran every single summer and sold out every time. Now they are back, and we could not be more excited to welcome you into them.

What makes these weeks unlike anything else is the rare opportunity for all ages to come together under one roof for a full week of performing arts. From our youngest performers aged 5 right through to our oldest seniors at 18, everyone works collaboratively towards the same goal. There are no divides, no separate groups doing their own thing in isolation. At the heart of everything is collaboration, and it is something truly wonderful to be part of.

And before you ask, no, it is not wall to wall rehearsals! Because the children are together every single day, nothing gets forgotten. Progress happens naturally and joyfully, which means the week feels relaxed, creative and full of fun rather than pressured or intense.

What Does a Typical Day Look Like?

Here is a glimpse of what your child can expect at our performing arts summer week in Bedfordshire:

10:00 to 10:30am: Icebreaker games to kick the day off.

10:30 to 11:30am: Rehearsing a show song, sometimes all together and sometimes in age groups.

11:30am to 12:15pm: Outdoor team games or an acro session.

12:15 to 1:00pm: Lunch.

1:00 to 1:45pm: A craft activity.

1:45 to 2:45pm: Drama rehearsal.

2:45 to 3:00pm: Performing to each other at the end of the day.

Benefits for Children

A Masquerades summer week is about so much more than putting on a show. Here is what your child will take away from the experience:

• Confidence that grows every single day, from standing up and performing to working as part of a team towards a shared goal.

• Friendships formed across age groups that simply do not happen in a typical classroom or club setting, as older and younger children genuinely connect through creativity and play.

• Real performance experience, culminating in a proper show on the Friday that gives every child a moment to shine in front of an audience.

• A sense of achievement that lasts long after the week is over, knowing they learned songs, choreography and scenes and performed them on a real stage.

• Skills in drama, movement, teamwork and creative thinking that feed directly into their confidence both on and off the stage.

• And perhaps most importantly, a week that genuinely feels like one of the best weeks of their summer holidays.

Benefits for Parents

Grease In A Week is one of the most affordable performing arts summer holiday intensives available to families in Bedford, Biggleswade and surrounding areas across Bedfordshire. The week runs from 10:00am to 3:00pm each day.

Early drop off from 9:00am and late pick up until 4:00pm are available Monday to Thursday for a small additional charge per session, giving you extra flexibility around work and other commitments. During these hours the children choose their own activities, whether that is puzzles, Minecraft blocks, drawing, acro or cartoon drawing. It is their summer holiday after all!

Pricing is designed to be accessible for families. One child places are £125 for the full week, with a multi-child sibling discount automatically applied at checkout for families booking two or three children together. With siblings able to attend together, you save yourself the hassle of juggling multiple different holiday clubs across the same week. You also have the option to pay a £20 per child deposit today to secure your place, with the remaining balance invoiced later down the line.

Already Part of the Masquerades Family?

This is the perfect opportunity to invite a friend along for the week. Whether they are based in Bedford, Biggleswade, Sandy, or anywhere else across Bedfordshire, there is no commitment to join Masquerades full time afterwards, just a brilliant week of performing arts, new friendships and unforgettable memories. Share this with someone you think would love it.

How to Book?

Booking is now open and places are limited so we would encourage you to secure yours as soon as possible. Head to our workshops page to choose your place, select any add ons and pay your deposit or full amount today.

We have an incredible week planned and we cannot wait to see you all there!

Interested in Joining Masquerades This September?

If your child loves Grease In A Week and wants to keep the performing arts journey going, or you are interested in joining us, we would love to welcome them into our regular classes this September!

We offer a wide range of classes including Drama, Jazz, Street, Tap, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Screen Acting, Acro, Private Lessons and more, for ages 5 to 18. We also have Masquerades Minis for our youngest performers aged 18 months to 4 years, and adult specific sessions for those 18 and over.

With classes across Northill, Cople, Great Barford, Moggerhanger and Caldecote there is something for the whole family.

Get in touch today at info@masqueradedramadance.com for more information!