By Julian Whittle

Last updated at 12:01, Monday, 03 September 2012

EVERYONE knows that little girls adore Barbie dolls, and many dream of becoming pop stars when they grow up.

Title
Author
Copyright

Description

So what better way to spend a Saturday than watching clips from the new DVD, Barbie, the Princess and the Popstar, then performing a song from the film?

Razzamataz theatre schools in Carlisle, Penrith and Whitehaven launched the Barbie Popstar Academy this weekend to coincide with the release of the DVD today.

The workshops, aimed at the four-to-eight age group, were hugely popular.

There were 50 applications for places in Carlisle alone, which meant two sessions had to be scheduled.

Denise Hutton-Gosney, principal of Carlisle Razzamataz, said: “They got a sneak preview of the DVD on the big screen.

“Then we brought them back to the dance studio to learn choreography and a song.

“They loved it. They absorb everything at that age. We had microphones so they felt like proper pop stars.”

The girls learned Princesses Just Want to Have Fun, the animated film’s version of Cyndi Lauper’s 1983 hit Girls Just Want to Have Fun.

They performed for proud parents at the end of the three-hour session.

Everyone left with a certificate and a goody bag containing a tiara and beads. Those taking part included five-year-old Niamh Irvine, of Etterby, Carlisle.

Mum Emma said: “It was my idea to go after I spotted an article in the News & Star.

“She has Barbie dolls in her room and nearly all the films on DVD. She was really excited to be coming.”

Rebecca Barwick, of Belle Vue, Carlisle, mum to three-year-old Neve, said: “Everywhere she goes she is singing constantly. She is always making up songs. This is right up her street.”

First published at 11:27, Monday, 03 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk