AN ARTS school wowed audiences recently with its biennial production, performing hit musicals with a troupe of 400 dancers.

JAM2000 is based at The Windmill Studio, in Pembroke Road, Ruislip Manor, and is now in its 20th year.

Over five days last week the school staged its 11th production in front of a packed out Watford Colosseum, with dancers ranging from two and a half to 49 years old.

With parents and friends of the school helping backstage, there were about 700 people involved in the production.

Speaking after the opening night last Tuesday, Judy McPhee, director of JAM2000 and The Windmill Studio, said: "The opening night went fantastically.

"The mayor of Hillingdon, Councillor Shirley Harper-O'Neill, was among the audience members and she even commented on how slick and professional it was.

"We have never had anyone of any importance from Hillingdon come to see our show before so I was very honoured. It was lovely to be recognised."

The first ever JAM2000 production was held at Field End School, in Field End Road, Eastcote, with a cast of 'only' 120.

As it got bigger it moved to The Beck Theatre, in Grange Road, Hayes, but then two years ago the school got so big it had to find a new venue.

For the last two years it has been held at the Colosseum.

The show opened with a Simply Red medley and included performances of numbers from My Fair Lady, Hairspray and Hello, Dolly!, a medley of songs by the band Ting Tings and then finished off with items from Dirty Dancing.

The actor Patrick Swayze, who died in September, starred in the 1987 film of that name.

Mrs McPhee, 49, of Whitstable Close, Ruislip, said: "The costumes were absolutely spectacular. I get all the materials and I design them myself and then I have 25 dressmakers who make them.

"The shows we put on are fast and exciting. The lighting is fantastic and we also bring our own stage sets.

"Even though the dancers are amateurs, it's a professional show. We often hear people say it's like going to a West End production because it's spectacular.

"It is a very entertaining show, with all styles of dance, so it's something for people of all ages to enjoy. I think that's why the tickets sell out so fast.

"People don't realise how good it is until they see it. They just think it's going to be a little dance school show."

This year the school was also sponsored for the first time by BAM Construct, Robert Masters Ltd, Oak Estates and TADD Accountants.

A raffle was also held on Saturday, the last day of the show, to raise money for Grangewood School, in Fore Street, Eastcote, a school for children with severe learning difficulties.

Mrs McPhee opened The Windmill Studio in September last year so the dancers could have a permanent base.

And as well as JAM2000, the studio also now holds JAMtots playgroup, dance lessons for adults - including pole dancing - and children's parties at the weekend.

* For more information call The Windmill Studio on 01895 624 755 or email thewindmillstudio@gmail.com.