THERE?S a lot more to All Out Performing Arts than Summer School but this year they will be happy to celebrate a decade of Summer Schools in West Devon.

Once again this ever-popular team of performing arts practitioners will be bringing their creativity and experience to the Coronation Hall in Mary Tavy where the event has been staged for the last two years.

?When we first thought about a summer event all those years ago, it was intended to be a series of workshops for young people in dance, drama and music,? says Julian Barnicoat, one of the All Our directors.

?But the first time it ran, we decided to use our combined efforts to build a full-scale theatrical production in just one week and that was it ? Summer School was born.?

He and Suzanne Sanders are the co-founders of the company and they well remember Summer School?s more humble beginnings.

?The night before we opened in 1994 we just sat there looking at the small number of applicants and arguing whether we could justify going ahead.?

Fortunately they did and now, ten years on, Summer School has grown and grown.

?We are always fully booked and realise that for a long time now, young people in the area have thought of the summer as Summer School.

?It?s an annual event for them and we are proud and delighted to think what we have achieved. We?re glad we kept going.?

But Suzanne insists Summer School is not the be all and end all.

?Nowadays we just need people to remember that no matter how good Summer School is, All Out is about a lot more,? she said.

?We are very busy right through the year teaching the performing arts in schools and colleges, running other theatre groups and our courses for young people in Tavistock, Launceston, Callington and Plymouth are a very important feature.

?These courses are for anyone between 8-18 years of age. They can come and work with us right through the year, learn about the performing arts, create shows and take exams in group performance. It?s great fun and really worthwhile,? she said.

Anyone wishing to find out more about All Out can visit their web site at http://www.alloutarts.co.uk">www.alloutarts.co.uk or ring them on 01579 351305.