Lights, Camera, Zapped! Our Newest PQA West End Show.

With Across the Line, (our current West End Show show) taking its final bow later this year, we’re beyond excited to reveal the next big adventure your child could be part of. So, without further ado… introducing our brand new show: Lights, Camera, Zapped!, opening Autumn 2026 at His Majesty’s Theatre, the iconic home of The Phantom of the Opera.

The Tale of Lights, Camera, Zapped!

This high-energy adventure begins when Dash Darkly, a mischievous teen inventor, creates a super-charged TV remote. But this isn’t just any remote, it can zap Dash right into their favourite TV shows and films! Chaos erupts when Dash’s younger sibling, Dewey, and their friends get their hands on it…

But let’s face it... no one should really be zapped into their favourite films, and doing so causes some serious ‘plot holes’ which Dash, Dewey and the ‘Channel Surfers’ must fix... fast!

Just like Across the Line, this show celebrates the individuality of each academy. As Dewey and their friends jump into the three films on their movie‑marathon list, each academy brings one of those worlds to life in their own unique way... and by the end, you’ll be struggling to hold back the laughs with its hilarious and dramatic scenes!

Our Learning Approach 

It’s already being called PQA’s most exciting West End show yet… and here’s why.

Every PQA West End Show has been created especially for PQA and Lights, Camera, Zapped! is no different. For the very first time in PQA West End history, it brings together everything your child learns in all three classes: Comedy & Drama, Musical Theatre and Film & TV, into one spectacular production. That means your child gets to shine in the area they love most, while also discovering new skills and building self-belief in ways they may never have imagined.

Every child has a meaningful part to play. Whether your performer is stepping into a speaking role, joining a high‑energy ensemble moment, or helping drive the story through movement, vocals and teamwork, the show is designed to celebrate them, exactly where they are in their PQA journey.

And the scale? It’s extraordinary. It’s incredibly rare in children’s performing arts to see over 200 young people come together as part of a single musical story and one shared narrative, with every performer playing a meaningful role in bringing it to life. With up to 120 speaking roles and around 40 minutes of stage time per academy, it’s a level of involvement and cohesion you just don’t exist anywhere else, and we’re so proud to offer it exclusively to PQA students.

Throughout the project, your child will take part in a rehearsal that blends seamlessly into their weekly PQA experience. They’ll feel supported, encouraged and excited every step of the way. Because our shows are written exclusively for PQA, we can ensure that every moment, from the first rehearsal to the final bow, places each child’s growth, confidence and wellbeing at its heart.

Bringing the show to life

The Design 

One of the first glimpses you’ll see of the show is its vibrant poster, created by PQA’s own in-house graphic designer, Scott Harvey. With nearly 30 years of experience, Scott designed the artwork to feel exciting, inclusive and instantly immersive, pulling viewers straight into the TV.

Inspired by the 80s and 90s, he used familiar, neutral elements like a cosy sofa and classic high‑top Converse trainers to create a sense of “anyone’s home”. The choice not to show characters was deliberate. By not introducing a gender or race it allows every child to imagine themselves in the adventure, with inclusivity and equality at its core. With bold colours and dynamic energy, the artwork captures the spirit of the show beautifully. As Scott puts it, “Everything is done as it would be for a professional show, don’t think of it for young people, it’s just the best it can be.” 

The Script 

At the heart of Lights, Camera, Zapped! is its script, written by Joshua Tonks. Writing for a three‑academy production is a unique challenge and Joshua approached it with a deep understanding of PQA’s commitment to ensuring every child has a meaningful role and part to play. Writer Joshua Tonks has created a story bursting with imagination, humour and adventure, the kind of script that makes young performers light up in rehearsals and feel proud onstage. The characters are gender‑neutral, the worlds are bold and exciting, and the structure allows each academy to bring their own personality to the stage.

Built around three distinct worlds, Joshua said: “It combines everything that I love, comedy, horror and some of my childhood memories”. It’s a script full of heart, designed to celebrate individuality, our three classes and the incredible professional performing arts training children learn each week.

Costume Design 

With three scenes, three academies and a storyline held together by triple‑cast characters, Lights, Camera, Zapped! needed a unifying visual thread, and that’s where costume designer Lois Cornish stepped in. A University of the Arts London graduate with a passion for theatre design, Lois created vibrant, imaginative costumes that help students feel confident and connected to their characters.

Her costumes are young person‑centred, comfortable and inclusive, with gender‑neutral pieces that each academy can personalise in their own creative way. Many items can even be sourced from local charity shops, elevating the show’s vintage 80’s and 90’s and feel, and also making the designs accessible while still looking incredible under the West End lights. As Lois says, “I remember how it felt waiting to go on stage… and I’m designing these incredible pieces for them.” 

The Premiere 

This autumn, Lights, Camera, Zapped! will burst onto the stage at His Majesty’s Theatre, London, featuring students from PQA Bedford AM, PQA Norwich AM and PQA Milton Keynes AM. It will be a spectacular celebration of everything PQA. With all three classes showcased on one of the most famous stages in the world, it promises to be an unforgettable experience for every child involved.