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Young people have always harboured ambitions of making their fame and fortune on the stage. From the proverbial ?running away with the circus' to starring in the school play, the longing for an audience; the joy of singing, dancing, playing in public; the thrill of becoming someone completely different for a few hours; or simply the desire for applause can make a life in the theatre seem so much more fun, glamorous and rewarding than the prospect of, say, a local office job. But few people have the stamina and dedication to really make a go of it, to build a career and become an outstanding professional whose talents, ideas and style earn them acclaim, awards and - not to be sniffed at in the performing arts - a good living. Growing up in Somerset in the 1970s and '80s, ANDREW WRIGHT was an ordinary youngster with an extraordinary passion for dancing, and he was one of those few who didn't let go of his dreams. He is now one of the top West End Musical choreographers, with credits for major West End productions like Singin' In The Rain, Guys and Dolls, Half A Sixpence and Mrs Henderson Presents. All the same, he still returns to his home stage to work with local theatre groups and dance schools: Strode Theatre, where he took dance classes and performed in amateur shows as a child. On Saturday 10th September, he will again be at Strode Theatre with a fund-raising evening entitled A DANCER'S JOURNEY TO THE WEST END: an illustrated journey through a childhood spent in the thriving local theatre scene; the ?blood, sweat and tears', triumphs and tragedies of a life in the commercial theatre world; and a fascinating insight into how a West End show is created. Andrew has also invited a troupe of young dancers from the Street-based South West School of Dance to perform during the evening to showcase the next generation of talent emerging from Somerset.