A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE 

Antony Johns | Choreographer, Director, Producer, Costumes, photography & Creative director for Check Events.

Antony has had a varied career, allowing his many artistic talents to be utilized in the field of entertainment. His passion for the arts began as a child, where he trained in dance winning many major awards. At the age of 13, whilst still at school, he appeared in the London West End production of “Gypsy” starring Angela Lansbury and then went on to appear in the film “Bugsy Malone” directed by Alan Parker.Having completed his training, he joined the BBC’s Young Generation and as a dancer worked with most of the top choreographers and top stars all over the world. He joined Wayne Sleep’s Dash Company for the first UK tour and a season at Sadlers Wells, after which he joined Dougie Squires Second Generation as a featured performer in over 250 TV performances, TB specials, galas, revues. Following his success as the young lead in “The Magic Touch” at the Cambridge Theatre, he presented for three series “Wallgames” for ITV and was given his own TV series for the BBC called “Count Me In”. He worked closely with the BBC Children’s Department where he presented many different programmes and appeared in pantomimes throughout the UK. When playing the title role of Peter Pan, he was taken to Germany for a full scale TV Production where he performed in German and Czechoslovakian and recaptures his TV series for a performance at “The Children’s Royal Variety Show” at the Dominion Theatre.His varied career led him to his passion for choreography and directing, with residencies for five spectacular Revue seasons at Palm Beach Casino Cannes and two years at the Sheraton Bal Harbour in Miami. He formed his own dance company Front Page with seasons in Sweden, Finland, Holland, Portugal and at events throughout the UK, from theatre to Royal Galas and pop videos. He has also worked extensively on cruise ships including the Costa Line, Fred Olson and Royal Caribbean Line. His theatre credits include over thirty UK pantomimes, “Narnia the Musical” in London and New York, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” in Paris and European tour, Francie and Josie at the Kings Glasgow and over 10 productions of the Gaiety Whirl and numerous summer shows at the Gaiety Ayr, He devised the show “Zodiac”, following on from the highly successful Skyline Entertainment at the new Butlins Resort Centres & choreographed “The Butlin Story” at the London Palladium. These shows explored new creative areas and have, with great impact, helped to launch the new image of the company.He directed and choreographed the most lavish production of theatre skills ever seen at Lake Geneva in Switzerland for the launch of Tag Aviation; the launch of Mobil and BP Conference “Cirque des Arts” in Rome; a water ballet for Orca in London and numerous launches for the Las Vegas Tourist Board in London, Paris Las Vegas. Further corporate credits include the launch of Volkswagen Mondo in Berlin, Body Shop, the transatlantic Airbus launch for Virgin Airways and the opening of Virgin Record Stores.

In 1999 Antony took over the Trends Entertainment Group from Jamie Phillips in London’s West End and led it to a new era with the highly respected costume department of AJ Costumes. From spectacular glamour showgirls to renowned costumes for pantomimes, musicals, drama, opera, ballet, television and film. With Dougie Squires OBE, in London’s West End, they launched Squires & Johns Productions, an event company producing various spectacular Galas for Royalty, producing the “Pink Revue”, “Viva La Diva”, “Sundance”, numerous productions in Dubai such as “Casper the Friendly Ghost”, corporate entertainment, acclaimed Summer Revues and over 40 pantomime productions. Antony Johns produced, styled and designed the award-winning Rotary Convention 2009 at the Birmingham NEC.

In 2005 Antony was invited to be Creative Director at Pleasure Beach Resort.Working along side Amanda Thompson OBE.  Bringing Squires & Johns Productions & AJ Costumes to the Resort, to work in association with Stageworks Worldwide Productions, the entertainment division. He positioned Stageworks as the UK’s premier costumiers for the light entertainment industry and expand vastly their portfolio of clients. From Royal Variety’s to spectacular casinos to Harrods, their costumes are undoubtedly some of the best creations in the world of entertainment. In joining as Creative Director, he assumed control of several key areas, with a remit that the brand identity remained consistent throughout the park. He became responsible for the design & manufacture of staff uniforms and key consultant on the selection of retail items. He staged numerous live PR events and various special events, working as key creative in the award-winning Pleasure Beach TV, Print & Media advertising campaigns. He contributed greatly in shaping the creative vision of the Marketing department and playing a key role in designing literature and producing television commercials. He oversaw the Design & Signage Studio and the conception of new attractions and the style of the park. He also has run with the team the world’s oldest purpose built ice arena, managing all sides of the venue from skating classes to touring productions.

Antony has worked prominently with the Blackpool Events Team and Re:Blackpool. Antony joined the challenge of rejuvenating Blackpool, with creative events and festivals such as the World Volleyball UK Championships, the Out2Dance Festival with his ‘Dancing in The Street Roadshow’ and for six years on Blackpool’s Showzam Festival, ‘Queens of Magic’ and the ‘Carnival Ball’ at the legendary Tower Ballroom, Staging events in masterclasses in all areas of entertainment for the festival 2013,2014 creative works for Blackpool Pleasure Beach including ChoreographingHot Ice at the Arena, Eclipse, Mystique Forbidden for which Eclipse and Hot Ice and Forbidden won the best show in different years at IAPPA in Las Vegas .The Spectacular Dinner show Europa Park Germany, Team Nickelodeon Pleasure Beach.,Bibas Awards Preston Guild. Jonathan Wilkes Live at the Globe Nine years of Pantomimes for King Georges Hall Blackburn.

In 2016 Antony resumed going back to freelance moving back down south in creative areas of choreography, directing, producing, teaching, costume design and manufacture.

He has been honoured in choreographing Royal Events and Pageants including the BAFTA award winning Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday celebration at Windsor Castle.
For the past 5 years, he has staged the finale at The the Olympia Horse show, and Dame Vera Lynn’s Celebration London Palladium, this year he choreographed the award event for DRP, Sternberg Clarke, British Telecom at Birmingham NEC, The Queen Victoria Pageant - Windsor, where he staged and costumed over 250 artists   A Visit Britain Gala in  Westminster Abbey ,Created  over 1000 costumes for Bor Productions for the MSC CRUISE LINES , created costumes for JAMES CORDEN for the Late Late show and a world cup trophy costume for Jack Whitehall for Britan’s Got Talent

Co produced with Barbara Ferris and Dougie Squires two productions at Zedel THE SWEETEST SOUNDS OF RODGERS AND HART, THE SWEETEST SOUNDS OF RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN.

His passion for Dance has given him the opportunity to guest lecture at all the major colleges and dance schools throughout the UK. He has worked with Dougie Squires OBE MVO for the past 40 years, and together 7 years ago created a reunion of the GENERATION Dancers, Such a success that now they meet from all over the UK twice a month for a afternoon of dance creating a Generation Family of all the dancers that worked with both Dougie and Antony. 

Throughout 2020 during COVID-19 with lock down in place Antony has been giving free classes online each week for all the Generation dancers, with great success and dancers from around the globe join in  the fun action packed classes and have raised money for the Royal Theatrical Fund and Dame Vera Lynn’s children’s charity 

Post COVID Produced Entertainment at the Royal Windsor Horse show in 2021, choreographed & staged Carnival Gala for Creast over 6 Christmas themed party nights for Impact Artists and again at a new location EXCEL created the entertainment at the International Horse show . Bringing New year in at a Gala Gatsby evening at the ICC IN Wales .

2022 creating 7shows of costumes for Bor productions for the Msc cruise lines, costumes for the Crown, and Nolly and numerous hires for large scale events and theatrical productions. then a few months of preparations to be honoured to work on Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee at Windsor over 500 costumes for the event and staged EMERALD STORM,Highlight moment working with Dame Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth the 1st. Also providing day time entertainment at the Royal Windsor Horse Show . Nominated for a life time achievement award at the Carl Allen Awards .

Produced and directed the Summer Event of the year at The ICC, The winter season Christmas events staged and choreographed and returning to EXCEL For the International London Horse show finale and costuming the Sunday night spectacular, the top riders in the world of showjumping having a dress up competition !

Produced New year at the ICC IN WALES with a Masked Ball Gala .

2023 Costume creation for Bor Productions for the MSC LINES . Created costumes for productions all over the UK . PRODUCED ENTERTAINMENT FOR ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW , GUEST MASTER CLASSES AT CHAMPNEYS PRODUCED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL Horse show Excel

2024 STAGED SHOWS FOR JONATHAN BLACKBURN VIKING CRUISE LINE ,GUEST MASTER CLASS CHAMPNEYS ,COSTUME CREATION SPEC SAVERS

Now on its 9th year the Generation dance class brings dancers together from all over the UK for the fun class of the month at Dance Attic