PATRON - SIR MATTHEW BOURNE OBE

Sir Matthew Bourne OBE is widely hailed as the UK’s most popular and successful choreographer and director. 

For over 30 years he has been creating and directing dance for musicals, theatre, film as well as his own highly successful, award-winning companies.

Matthew is the creator of the world’s longest running ballet production, an eight-time Olivier Award winner, and the only British director to have won the Tony Award for both Best Choreographer and Best Director of a Musical. 

He has been recognised by over 40 international awards, including following Dame Margot Fonteyn as only the second dance recipient of the Hamburg Shakespeare Prize for the Arts and being the first recipient, in the arts category, of The British Inspiration Award. He is also the proud recipient of the Evening Standard Award, South Bank Show Award, Time Out Special Award, Drama Desk Award, six Los Angles Drama Critic Awards and the Astaire Award for Dance on Broadway. 

In 2007 he received a Special Theatre Managers Association Award for services to dance touring and audience development and was awarded the OBE for Services to Dance in 2001.

PATRON - EMILY CAREY

Emily spent the summer of 2019 filming a series regular role on 'Get Even' a new series for BBC/Netflix which is set to release worldwide in February 2020. The coming year also sees the release of the film 'Anastasia: Once Upon A Time' with Emily in the role of Anastasia followed by the animated film 'Where Is Anne Frank?' in which Emily voices the role of Anne Frank. 

Emily began her career in the West End at the age of 9 in Shrek The Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. She then played Marta in The Sound Of Music at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre where she first met Michael Xavier who played the role ofCaptain Von Trapp. Michael became Emily's mentor offering her a place to train at his weekend academy. 

In her time as a student at MXM, Emily began her on screen career. She is now best known as Grace Beauchamp in BBC Casualty, a role she played for 3 years. Her big screen credits include Young Diana in 'Wonder Woman', Young Lara Croft in 'Tomb Raider', Anastasia in 'Anastasia, Once Upon A Time' and Anne Frank in 'Where Is Anne Frank?' Other TV credits include Mary Conan Doyle in 'Houdini And Doyle' (ITV) , Bea in 'Turn Up Charlie' (Netflix)  and Mika in 'Get Even' (BBC/Netflix). 

"Being invited to be a patron of MX Masterclass means more than words. I am filled with pride to have the opportunity to support the place that has taught me so much and given me an unbelievable amount of joy over the years. It’s an honour and my heart is so full!"

PATRON - SEBASTIAN CROFT 

Ex-student Sebastian (known as Bash to his friends) is a BAFTA nominated actor, who has done West End plays and musicals, and most recently film and TV, and has been a student of Michael’s since he was 12.

Feature films include, Dampyr, The Hippopotamus, Wonderwell, I’ll Find You, Where is Ann Frank (in which he voices Peter van daan opposite fellow MXM Patron Emily Carey), Horrible Histories The Movie (in which he plays the lead role of Atti, for which he received his BAFTA nomination) and Schools Out Forever (a very topical apocalyptic film slated for release on Netflix in 2020).

TV shows include; Houdini and Doyle (ITV, Fox) and Penny Dreadful (Sky Atlantic, Showtime) but is probably best known for playing Young Ned Stark in Game of Thrones (HBO).

Bash made his first professional appearance on stage at the age of 7 in the West End touring production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Other musical theatre includes; Gavroche in Les Misérables, Oliver in Oliver The Musical, Tommy in Matilda The Musical, and Adrian Mole in The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole.

Theatre includes; Coriolanus at the Donmar Warehouse alongside Tom Hiddleston, Prince Arthur in Sir Trevor Nunn’s production of Shakespeare’s King John.

“I am so excited to be a Patron of MXM. I trained with Michael for a long time and met lots of people there, who I really looked up to in the industry, and who have since taken me under their wing. When I was having a tough time at school, MXM was a weekly reminder that there are other people around me who share the same passions as me and had my back. Not only is MXM the best training you can get, but you also become part of an amazing family, where Michael leads by example, making sure that you actually look after your physical and mental wellbeing. Whilst I am now a working actor, I am thrilled that this patronage gives me a reason to still be part of the MXM family.”

PATRON - NATALIE PARIS

As a young child, Natalie starred in West End shows Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Les Miserables, Billy Elliott and Sunday In The Park With George.

Natalie has gone on to train at Michael’s original iteration of MX Masterclass (West End Masterclass) and then on to RADA.

Since leaving RADA Natalie joined the cast of a then little-known musical about Henry VIII’s six wives playing the role of Jane Seymour.

The show is, of course, SIX The Musical and Natalie has garnered world-wide attention for her performances on The One Show, This Morning and Britain’s Got Talent and her vocal recording on the original album singing the incredible Heart Of Stone! 

We are thrilled and proud that Natalie has become one of our esteemed patrons.

Natalie says:

"I am absolutely honoured to be a patron of MX Masterclass!

Having trained here myself I know first hand what an amazing school this is. Not only did I learn so much about my craft & myself, but also had so many incredible opportunities to learn from so many performers who I looked up to and admired.

But most importantly, I had the best time! I looked forward to every Sunday and would not have missed it for the world.

I am so grateful for everything Michael taught me and his huge encouragement to push me to go on to do things that I never dreamt possible.

It’s more than just a school, and once you are part of the MXM family, you always will be."

PATRON - ASHA BANKS

Asha made her television debut in 2011 with minor roles in EastEnders and Call the Midwife, both on BBC One.^[7] She was seven when cast as young Éponine in the long-running musical Les Misérables at the Queen's Theatre in 2012, marking Asha's West End debut.^[8][9] She appeared in the 2014 Almeida and Playhouse Theatre runs of the play 1984.

Asha went on the 2015 UK tour of Annie, playing the eldest orphan Duffy. She joined the West End production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane as Violet Beauregard before its closure in 2017. She alternated the roles Pandora Braithwaite in the 2017 off-West End production of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ at the Menier Chocolate Factory^[10] and Lisa James in The Boy in the Dress at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2019.^[11]

In 2021, Asha played Thea in the London revival of Spring Awakening at the Almeida Theatre. She was also the understudy for Amara Okereke's Wendla.^[12] She was cast as Princess Pamina in the German musical film The Magic Flute, marking Asha's feature film debut.^[13] The film premiered at the 2022 Zurich Film Festival and had a wide release in 2023. Asha also returned to television in 2022 with a recurring role as Brooke in the BBC iPlayer teen drama Rebel Cheer Squad, a Get Even spinoff.

"It's a huge honour, and super exciting, to be asked to be a patron of MXM alongside the other incredible patrons.

I loved trainning there every week and I made so manny friends there along the way.

I'm so lucky to have had MXM whilst I was growing in the industry to guide me and fuel my love for performing more and more each week!

Michael has always been a mentor for me and also a source of advice and knowledge. He genuinely cares about his students and has helped shape so many careers in this industry.

I'm so excited to a patron and become froever involved in this family!"

Working with the stars...

Our students really enjoy visits by the current industry professionals they get to meet and perform for.

Here are just some of the amazing guest teachers who have come into MX Masterclass. We can’t thank them enough for coming in to offer their knowledge, wisdom and joy. 

Our Emmys love and learn so much from them all.

Kerry Ellis

Kerry Ellis made her first professional stage appearance in 1998 and went on to make her West End debut in the 2001 My Fair Lady. After meeting Queen guitarist Brian May in 2002, she landed the role of Meat in the original London cast of We Will Rock You and has subsequently played lead roles in West End musicals Les Miserables, Wicked (which also took her to  Broadway), Oliver! and Cats as well as appearing in national tours and concert productions of musicals like Miss Saigon, Chess and Rent. Kerry has received several awards and nominations for her performances, has become recognised as the First Lady of West End musicals. She has also worked sporadically in film and television. 

MATT HENRY MBE

Matt Henry recently won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as Lola in Kinky Boots. Matt also won the Whatsonstage Award for Best Actor in a Musical (2016) and was nominated for The Times Breakthrough Award (2016). Matt recently finished a UK tour promoting his debut album Red Flare supporting Grammy and Tony-winning pop icon, Cyndi Lauper. Red Flare was recorded live at the studio of Dan Gillespie Sells (The Feeling) and produced by Mr Hudson and is now available to purchase on iTunes and at The Adelphi Theatre. As a finalist on the BBC’s The Voice, where he was mentored by both will.i.am and Jessie J, Matt’s performance of Ray LaMontagne’s ‘Trouble’ racked up over four million hits on YouTube and the original ‘Trouble’ re-entered the UK charts that week – testament to Matt’s performance.

Louise Dearman

Louise Dearman is a British actress and singer, most well known for playing the roles Daisy in Side Show (Southwark Playhouse); Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (UK tour); Elphaba in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre); Glinda in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre); Mrs D in the world premiere of The Waterbabies (Leicester Curve Theatre); Soloist in Judy (UK tour); The Woman in Tell Me On A Sunday (International); Eva Peron in Evita (UK tour); Grizabella in Cats (Cyprus); Debbie in Debbie Does Dallas (Edinburgh Festival); Mimi in Guys and Dolls (Piccadilly Theatre); Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls (UK tour); Jan in Grease (Victoria Palace Theatre and UK tour); Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK tour).

Rebecca Trehearn

Rebecca Trehearn has scooped a coveted Laurence Olivier Award for her role in the West End musical Show Boat. Rebecca was crowned Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical for her role as Julie LaVerne in the critically acclaimed production at New London Theatre. Dubbed “one of British musical theatre’s shining stars,” the fluent Welsh speaker thanked the show’s director Daniel Evans at a glittering ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in Welsh saying “Diolch o galon.” During her acceptance speech, she said: “Show Boat was one of the most special experiences of my career…you’re only as good as the people who surround you and this is theirs as much as it is mine.”

Ramin Karimloo

In the world of theatrical performers, Ramin Karimloo is known as one of the most formidable talents in the industry. Heralded for his portrayal of leading roles Jean Valjean in Les Misérables in London’s West End & on Broadway and the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, Karimloo is a musical force unlike any other. In fact, it was his unbridled reputation that led to his performance in the Oscar tribute to Les Misérables. Ramin is both an Olivier and Tony Award nominee for his performances in Love Never Dies and Les Misérables respectively. 

Trevor Dion Nicholas

In May of 2016, Trevor made his West End debut as Genie in Disney’s Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre, for which he was awarded the 2017 What’s On Stage Award for Best Supporting Actor. Trevor came to London following his Broadway debut as the standby for Genie in the production of Disney’s Aladdin currently still running. Trevor was also the voice of the Announcer in Dreamgirls which ran at the West End's Savoy Theatre and has had the privilege of performing on Sunday Night at the Palladium and the Royal Variety Performance for ITV as well as Children in Need for BBC One. He is currently playing the role of George Washington in the West End production of Hamilton!

Danielle Hope

Danielle was the winner of the BBC talent contest Over The Rainbow and as a result played the part of Dorothy in the Andrew Lloyd Webber production of The Wizard of Oz, which began performances in the West End at the London Palladium in February 2011. Following this role, she went on to play the role of Éponine in Les Misérables in the West End.

PETER POLYCARPOU

Peter is an Olivier Award nominee for his performance of Ahmed Qurie in Oslo and won the Clarence Derwent Award for the same role. His work in movies includes Evita (alongside Madonna), Oklahoma! with Hugh Jackman, and De-Lovely. On stage, he was the first actor to play the role of John in the musical Miss Saigon in London. He was an original cast member of the musical Les Misérables, and has played The Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. He has also appeared in the UK première of The Woods by David Mamet at the Finborough Theatre, London. Peter’s television work is extensive and includes Birds Of A Feather. The Bill, Holby City, Casualty and Waking the Dead.

CELINDE SCHOENMAKER

Celinde is known for appearing as Renate Blauel in Rocketman, Fantine in the West End production of the musical Les Misérables, and Christine Daae in the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera during their 30th anniversary. Celinde moved to London after being cast in the role of Fantine in the West End production of Les Misérables. On 14 January 2013 she replaced Sierra Boggess in the role, making her West End debut. In 2015, she returned to West End in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera as the female lead of Christine Daaé. On 27 September 2016, Celinde performed with Ben Forster in the show's 30th Anniversary performance. She was cast as Jenny Lind in the 2017 Off-West End production of Barnum. In 2019 she took on the role of Franca in Light in the Piazza, she played the role in London and LA Opera. In 2020 Celinde performed the two hander Marry Me A Little.

HADLEY FRASER

Hadley has en extensive and impressive CV. These are just some of his achievements. In 2010, Hadley to the West End to play the role of El Gallo in The Fantasticks. In October 2010 he sang the Les Misérables role of Grantaire in the 25th Anniversary concert at West End. In 2011 Hadley returned to the West End production of Les Misérables, this time to play the role of Javert. He received critical acclaim for the role and remained with the show until June 2012. Hadley played Raoul in the 25th Anniversary staging of The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall in London. He costarred alongside Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess, who played the Phantom and Christine, respectively. He also co-starred with Karimloo in the 25th Anniversary concert of Les Misérables. Hadley appeared in the film adaptation of Les Misérables, as the Army General of the National Guard. He also appeared aside Tom Hiddleston in the Donmar Warehouse's production of Coriolanus. In 2014 he returned to the Donmar Warehouse to play Stine in City of Angels, alongside his wife Rosalie Craig and Samantha Barks. Hadley played Frederick Frankenstein in the UK premiere of the Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein in August 2017 at the Garrick Theatre in London's West End, following a try-out run at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle.