An evening celebrating the life and legacy of performing arts school founder Sophia Tarjomani will be held at The Granville Theatre in Ramsgate this month.
Sophia and her family moved from Bromley to Thanet in 2001. Sophia was a performer, songwriter and maker of children’s nursery furniture.
In 2005 the mum to daughters Parisa and Zahra set up Regency Productions and dedicated her time to creating and directing countless local productions that brought joy and inspiration to the community.
She wrote her first show, Run Adolph Run, which sold out two runs at the Theatre Royal Margate. She then wrote a musical called Rock Upon a Time in Margate and then the next big project was High School Musical at the Margate Winter Gardens which sold out and, says Zahra “caused absolute chaos!”
Through her work with Regency Performing Arts Academy, Sophia taught and mentored hundreds of children across Thanet.
She was particularly keen to help children from backgrounds where they wouldn’t necessarily have support to change their lives. This was because she came from a low-income family and did not always have the backing to pursue her dreams.
This propelled her into making sure young people had the chance to enter the performing arts industry but also the guidance to steer them towards career paths both within, and outside of, the arts.
Daughters Zahra and Parisa – who was part of band Only The Young on The X factor in 2014- are now co-owners of The Granville Theatre as well as running the performing arts school.
“Remembering Sophia”, will mark 10 years since her passing and is a tribute to her incredible contributions to the performing arts and her enduring spirit.
The evening will feature a variety of live performances, music, and moving tributes from those who knew and loved her, including: Regency Productions, Only The Young, Zahra’s partner and West End performer Shannon Taiwo, Regency Performing Arts Academy and singer Olivia Rogers who made the semi-finals of The Voice 2024.
Proceeds from the event will support two charities that had been close to Sophia’s heart: Children with Cancer and Demelza Hospice Care.
Parisa and Zahra said: “It is bittersweet for us to be putting on this event. It marks ten years without our amazing mum and we miss her so much, but we are also so proud of everything she has paved the way for and are excited to be celebrating her and raising money for some very special charities.”
Remembering Sophia takes place on 28th December from 7:30pm at The Granville Theatre, Ramsgate.
Tickets: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/remembering-sophia/granville-theatre/
For group bookings, call 02072 061174.
