I am delighted to introduce Bijou Talent, a leading talent agency for children. After many years performing in the West End and teaching, I decided to combine my skills and experience to form an agency dedicated to finding young stars of the future. Bijou Talent is delighted to be a member of the AYPA – The Agents of Young Performers Association. With a wealth of experience in teaching various disciplines including musical theatre, ballet, tap, modern and singing, I pride myself in being able to spot the very best talent. All children are auditioned to be part of the agency.
Our current Bijou clients can be spotted in TV shows such as The Crown (Netflix), The Beaker Girls (CBBC), The Midwich Cuckoos (SKY), and in various theatre productions such as Matilda (London), Mary Poppins (London), Les Miserables (UK Tour) and Waitress The Musical (UK Tour). Clients are also featured in the following commercials for brands such as ASDA, LIDL, John Lewis, LEGO, Nintendo, Veg Power, NSPCC, Three Mobile and many more!
Francesca originates from the Shetland Islands. She trained at the Dance School of Scotland in Glasgow and ArtsEd, London gaining a BA (hons) degree in Musical Theatre.
Francesca’s work as an actress includes: Les Miserables at the Queens Theatre London and was part of the anniversary performance at the 02 screened live in cinemas worldwide and released on DVD. She also recorded vocals for the Les Miserables movie. The Baker’s Wife at the Union Theatre in London. Once upon a time at the Adelphi, Tales of Hamelin and the Original London Cast Recording of One Touch of Venus. Alice in Wonderland at the Gordon Craig Theatre, The Fix at the Union Theatre in London and The Light Princess at Cadogan Hall.
Francesca is a qualified ISTD ballet teacher and tap teacher, also teaching modern, jazz, musical theatre and singing.
Bijou Talent are proud to work in association with The Arts Educational School representing the ArtsEd EXTRA students. Having trained at ArtsEd and continued on to a career in musical theatre, Francesca is ideally suited to guide young performers from ArtsEd EXTRA into the entertainment industry.
ArtsEd EXTRA has become West London’s leading performing arts academy for young people. The school offers a range of weekend opportunities for children to learn and develop skills in the performing arts in a fun, vibrant and friendly environment where every child matters.
The ArtsEd EXTRA Saturday Skills Academy strives to be different. The aim is to give each child a real life experience in the industry, with expert teachers direct from the industry and opportunities to perform at events such as The Oliviers at the Royal Albert Hall. The Saturday school is split into two pathways: Musical Theatre and/or Acting for TV & Film.
Find out more: https://artsed.co.uk/course-types/holiday-and-weekend/
All children are auditioned to be part of the agency.
Bijou Talent have newly teamed up with Somerstage, a vibrant school based in Somerset.
SOMERSTAGE is an exciting Musical Theatre School, based at The McMillan Theatre in Bridgwater. With over ten years experience in the world of Musical Theatre, Lisa Lynch , Tim Bonser and Dean Brammall bring the essential ingredients of The West End to the West Country. Somerstage students learn to DANCE, ACT and SING and become the all round triple threat performers the industry requires. Lessons are full of passion and taught by those who have worked in the industry in shows such as Mamma Mia, Jersey Boys, Spamalot, South Pacific and Jackie The Musical.
Find out more: https://www.somerstage.co.uk
All children are auditioned to be part of the agency.
Class Act Theatre School (CATS) is one of the most highly regarded Theatre Schools in South Wales. Founded by respected Teacher and Director Jill Williams in 1999, CATS has over 20 years of experience training young Actors with an ethos based in quality, fun, innovation, inclusiveness, loyalty, discipline and strong ensemble performances.
CATS is now led by Amber Williams in Pontardawe and Gareth Mitchell in Swansea and they encourage every child in their care to achieve their very best and in doing so, develop a lasting love of Theatre and Performance. Using their strong industry links, CATS often welcomes West End professionals along to classes and workshops throughout the year. You will very often see this strong, dynamic team, joined by Jill (now Resident Director of Disney’s The Lion King Tour) supporting each other in classes and during Production preparations.
For more information, visit classacttheatre.co.uk
Bijou Talent are proud to have teamed up with Yorkshire Rose Academy of Dance (YRAD), a passionate school based in York, North Yorkshire.
YRAD was founded by Principal Kerry Whitfield in 2013, and her passion for the arts gives the students at YRAD an encouraging platform to be their best. The school offers a vast array of classes for children to learn and develop in the performing arts industry. Classes are fun, inclusive, inspirational and gives students a strong work ethic and discipline. YRAD has an enthusiastic and supportive team of skilled professionals at their core, plus they invite external pros for Workshops / Masterclasses throughout the year.
All children aged 4+ have the opportunity to audition for the agency.
Find out more: www.yrad.co.uk
ROSIE stars in the latest NSPCC commercial – gifts in wills
DIYA SOHI makes her professional screen debut as the lead role of Asha in THE BEAKER GIRLS series 2 for CBBC
HUGE NEWS!!! Client TIMOTHÉE SAMBOR plays the role of Prince William in episodes 1-5 of the brand new series of THE CROWN for Netflix
AVA features in this strong commercial for NSPCC this Christmas
The Millichamp-Long family (mum and two daughters) feature in the stunning latest commercial for John Lewis & Partners
ALEX has just finished playing the role of MATILDA in the West End
SAXON heads up the the ASDA Mother’s Day 2022 campaign with an adorable performance!
ARIANA features in the JOHN LEWIS Christmas 2021 Ad. A huge well done Ariana, what an achievement to be in such a famous Christmas advert! Catch her at 1.12mins on the phone!
POPPY is featured in the Easter 2021 ALDI commercial. Nice work Poppy, we love your ‘I Like it Like That!’
BRUCE LENNOX is featured in the incredible 2020 THREE 5G commercial. Bruce is one of our ArtsEd EXTRA students. He can be seen at 1.12mins donning futuristic glasses at a bus stop with his mates. Nice work Bruce!
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Francesca is a highly skilled teacher with years of experience teaching children of all ages across London and the South East. Professional choreographic work includes UK pantomimes for Jordan Productions; Snow White (Fareham), Dick Whittington (Fareham and Potters Bar). Francesca also works as a director and choreographer for one of the UK’s leading Independent schools, professional credits include Legally Blonde, Disney’s Jungle Book, Brenda Bly Teen Detective and Beauty and the Beast.
Francesca has a BA (hons) degree in Musical Theatre from the Arts Educational School in London and an ATCL Diploma in Performance from Trinity College London. Her students regularly take part in exams with the LCM (London College of Music) and Trinity College London with a very high success rate in all exams ranging from Pre Grade 1 to Grade 8. Francesca is qualified ISTD ballet and tap teacher teaching pre-primary to Intermediate grades. She also teaches the IDTA Musical Theatre syllabus.
Coaching is available via Zoom/Skype for all castings. It is highly recommended that children regularly take part in singing, dancing and acting classes if they wish to be part of our agency.
Please contact us for further details on coaching opportunities.