Drama school founded by Corrie Star Tina O’Brien celebrates 10th birthday

Coronation Street’s Tina O’Brien

Tina O’Brien, renowned for her role as Sarah Barlow in the long-running soap opera Coronation Street, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Drama MOB, a drama school she established in Manchester.

The school, born out of O’Brien’s frustration in finding suitable acting classes for her daughter Scarlett, has since nurtured a new generation of talented actors who have gone on to grace the small screen, stage, and advertisements.

The Drama MOB

Founded in 2013 in partnership with her best friend Esther Morgan, The Drama MOB has thrived over the years.

Its comprehensive curriculum and emphasis on skill development have enabled its young participants to secure professional roles in popular soaps, dramas, adverts, and theatre productions.

Tina O’Brien, who has been actively involved in teaching and providing one-to-one guidance, is no stranger to the world of acting, having started her own career at the age of 10.

Alongside her, fellow director Esther, a former primary school teacher specialising in drama, manages The Drama MOB casting agency. The agency, established in 2015 following the success of the classes, represents talented young actors who have appeared in popular shows like Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, and even worked with renowned brands such as Waitrose, Tesco, and John Lewis.

The Drama MOB has witnessed remarkable success stories over the years. In 2018, four-year-old Freddie Henderson stole hearts by portraying the youngest version of music legend Sir Elton John in the highly anticipated John Lewis Christmas ad, “The Boy and the Piano.” Notably, the Drama MOB’s talent pool has also contributed to projects like the children’s series “The World According to Grandpa” and the BBC 2 sitcom “Alma’s Not Normal.”

Additionally, their actors have appeared in feature films like “The Railway Children Return” and the Amazon romantic comedy “Your Christmas Or Mine.”

Matilda The Musical Jr at The Waterside

As The Drama MOB celebrates its special anniversary, the school will commemorate the occasion with a production of Roald Dahl’s beloved tale, “Matilda The Musical Jr.”

The enchanting story of a courageous girl determined to take control of her own destiny will be brought to life by the young performers on the stage of The Waterside in Sale.

The Drama MOB has come a long way since its inception.

Starting with Tina O’Brien and Esther Morgan at the helm, the school now boasts 450 talented individuals enrolled in its classes.

With 12 dedicated drama teachers leading 23 classes per week and a roster of 400 actors represented by the agency, The Drama MOB has made a name for itself in Manchester’s performing arts scene.

Reflecting on the school’s growth, Tina O’Brien expressed her pride in seeing her own daughter, Scarlett, receive high praise for her role in the rebooted series of Waterloo Road earlier this year, a show where Tina herself played a student character in 2010.

The Drama MOB has played an instrumental role in shaping Scarlett’s acting career, and many other students have benefitted from the school’s nurturing environment.

As The Drama MOB enters its second decade, Tina and Esther remain dedicated to their mission of providing quality training and opportunities for aspiring actors.

The school has kept its classes small and selective to ensure personalised attention and has even introduced The Academy for performers aged 16 and above in response to high demand.

For more information about The Drama MOB and their upcoming productions, please visit their official website by clicking here. 

You can book tickets for the anniversary production of “Matilda The Musical Jr.” by clicking here.