AS Les Miserables-fever sweeps the country, a Darlington arts group is hosting a two-day half-term workshop based on the hit international musical.

Taking place at Hummersknott Academy on February 18 and 19, the Darlington Arts Academy workshop will include a range of performing arts activities based around the music, songs and story of Les Misérables, which has recently been transformed in a blockbuster Hollywood movie.

Suitable for children aged between six and 16, the workshop follows hot on the heels of Darlington Arts Academy’s successful ‘Wicked’-themed workshop at the end of last year.

Led by some of the area’s most talented and experienced performing arts specialists, the ‘Les Mis’ workshops will create a performance based on Les Misérables in just two days.

Darlington Arts Academy operates regular school holiday workshops and activities, which will include a week-long Summer School in August.

The organisation previously operated weekly sessions, but was forced to close due to a lack of funding.

owever, overwhelming support from parents and local businesses has enabled the academy to be resurrected in a reduced format, run by volunteers and funded by donations.

In 2012, the Academy held a Hairspray-themed summer school, which included performances of the hit Broadway musical. The Academy will shortly announce the theme of the 2013 summer school.

Creative director Rebecca McGarvie said: “Everyone’s gone Les Mis-mad since the film was released and this workshop will give kids from Darlington the perfect chance to ‘dream a dream’ and recreate a flavour revolutionary France at Hummersknott.

“Our workshops are perfect for people of all abilities and experience and are great fun.

The workshops run 9.30am to 4.30pm on both days and costs £15 for the two days for non-members.

Booking is required. Call 01325-520446 or visit daaevents.co.uk