To mark the occasion, numerous fun events are taking place across the globe, kicking off in early April with a weekend of tea parties. The festivities will give franchisees, teachers, students and friends of Stagecoach an opportunity to come together and celebrate 30 years of (show) business.

The highlight of the year is set to be a simultaneous performance of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Junior on 1 July, with almost 200 Stagecoach schools across the UK, Canada and Germany taking part. Orchestrated by the Stagecoach events team, this event is set to break the world record (already held by Stagecoach) of the most simultaneous performances of a show, with upwards of 6,500 children being involved.

The rights to the show – which comes one year on from the live action film starring Stagecoach alumnus Emma Watson – have been granted to Stagecoach, in line with the collaborative partnership the brand has built with Disney in recent years.

Sarah Kelly, Stagecoach CEO, says: “It’s important that every student feels a part of this incredible anniversary, so packing the calendar with celebrations everyone can be involved in builds upon our feeling of community. We’re all so excited to mark this joyous occasion together and it’s testament to our incredible network of franchisees that Stagecoach Performing Arts is as successful as ever 30 years on.

“We’re currently operating across nine countries, with a network of more than 300 franchisees running over 650 schools. As an organisation, we are constantly expanding and the opportunity to come together to celebrate is truly special.”