A former Emmerdale actor and Red Rose actor is bringing her acting school to Bolton.

Meladrama acting school was set up by local TV actor Melanie Ash in 2005 who played Coleen King in Emmerdale and Sharon in Red Rose.

Meladrama has launched the careers of many young actors that have gone on to appear in TV favourites like Coronation Street, The Bay, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, and most recently Mel’s son Leo Ashton who plays Prince Aemond Targaryen in HBO’s hit series House of the Dragon.

Mel said: “I’m really passionate about giving kids like me opportunities.

“It’s such a hard industry anyway – but even tougher for kids from the north, which is wrong as the areas we have classes – Preston, Chorley, Warrington and now Bolton, are absolutely screaming with raw talent.

“My mum had a full-time job and then she also packed cards in the evening so she could afford for me and my brother to do our activities.

“She’s managed to see me on TV thankfully – so her hard work paid off.

“I appeared as a re-occuring character in Emmerdale for many years and have worked professionally on TV and theatre 30 years plus.

“Most recently I can be seen in Red Rose that filmed five minutes from my house.

“I love acting but my real joy is helping kids pursue their dreams – whether that’s appearing on TV and stage or just enabling them to make new friends, grow in confidence and have a safe space they can just be themselves.

“Over the last 17 years Meladrama have gained a reputation for giving children and teens a voice.

“We are more than just an acting school - we’re a family.

“Our students start classes, and they rarely leave.

“In fact, several of them have gone onto drama school and now teach for me in between acting jobs and theatre tours.”

 Mel is from Preston originally and she opened her first school there almost 20 years ago.

But after meeting her partner who lives in Bolton four years ago - she’s now a Kearsley ‘local’ and excited to bring their successful actor training workshops to Bolton Little Theatre. 

Meladrama’s new school will open its doors at the iconic Bolton Little Theatre on October 1.

Mel added: “I have had some lovely meetings with the trustees and board of directors at Bolton Little Theatre.

“I’m so honoured and proud they have agreed to hire us their beautiful building for our flagship school.

“It’s a stunning venue and I think it will be amazing for the kids and teens to be able to work in such an incredible space with such a glorious history and reputation.”

Mel explained that one of the perks at the school is that aspiring actors can stay on after they turn 18.

She added: “Theatre is so special – and we’re hopeful that pupils will now have somewhere to stay once they get too old for Meladrama.

“It’s frustrating at the other schools and venues I have because once they turn 18 if they don’t want to ‘study’ drama at university or drama school they lose their hobby.

“At Bolton Little Theatre they will be able to stay on and continue their theatre journey – whatever they do as a ‘job’.

“The team at Bolton Little Theatre are a real ‘family’ and I think we will fit in well.”

 There will be a range of classes on Saturday mornings in acting and musical theatre, and then on Wednesday afternoons they are also offering “Home Education Drama” workshops followed by an afterschool acting class.

There will be plenty of opportunities to perform – on the stage but also through studying acting for TV and filming projects.

Class sizes are kept small so each student can work on their individual goals.

For more information and to try a free trial at Meladrama tomorrow (October 1) sign up via the website www.meladrama.co.uk or call Mel on 07789004062.