FROM Southampton to Sydney via Singapore, their talent will soon be taking them around the world direct from their home port.

Thousands of dancers, singers and entertainers will now head to the south coast from across the UKto rehearse specially produced and choreographed shows to be performed on board the ships of P&O Cruises following the launch of The Academy yesterday.

The south coast’s largest dance studio, it was officially launched by Strictly Come Dancing professionals Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe.

The pair, currently appearing at The Mayflower in Strictly Confidential and set to join several upcoming cruises, looked on as the cast of Azura performed a musical medley to declare the facility open.

Two and a Half Men, favourites from Britain’s Got Talent 2011, were also making use of the space which, it is hoped, will encourage more local talent to sign up.

The impressive venue in West Quay Road will be used as a rehearsal and training venue and for auditions for a programme of shows on board the seven P&O Cruises ships, which include extracts from West End and Broadway shows, tribute nights and artists including Russell Watson and Katherine Jenkins.

Natalie Lowe, who has partnered Audley Harrison, Ricky Whittle and Scott Maslen on Strictly, said: “It really is one of the most amazing studios I’ve ever seen anywhere in the world.

“This sort of incredible facility and the attention to detail takes the guesswork out of what we do and all this space is just what you need.

“To be able to perform to the best of your ability during rehearsals will make the show so much better. They’re definitely looking after our futures – and our knees – here!”

Andrew Millar, P&O Cruises entertainment development manager, added: “Rather than hiring less suitable spaces in London, we’re now going to be bringing all our entertainers into this fantastic facility in our home town, so they’re just yards from our ships and our offices.

It’s a great city for them to come and visit for nine weeks before they head off around the world.”

Three dance studios and three vocal coaching rooms total 1,258sqm in size – larger than the total grass area of Wimbledon’s Centre Court.

Exact replicas of stages on P&O ships, including Arcadia and Aurora, are even recreated on the sprung floors