200 children and teenagers came together this weekend to perform together for the first time since the pandemic kicked in, and for many of the very young ones, it would undoubtedly have been their first tentative steps onto any stage.
Danceworks is a private dance and theatre school based in Eccles, and once every two years (usually), the whole school comes together to showcase all the brilliant things that each class has been working on, not just for the parents and friends, but these are also public performances too - so if anyone is interested in dance pedagogy or talent-spotting, then you'd have to go quite a long way to find anything else on this level.
Danceworks is a private dance and theatre school based in Eccles, and once every two years (usually), the whole school comes together to showcase all the brilliant things that each class has been working on, not just for the parents and friends, but these are also public performances too - so if anyone is interested in dance pedagogy or talent-spotting, then you'd have to go quite a long way to find anything else on this level.
Hats off to all the teachers and helpers - this showcase showed us all just exactly how dedicated, talented, and enthusiastic the whole school were, working as a complete team and ensemble, supporting each other (very important), and performing some technically difficult routines with skill and elan.
The showcase mixed the ages, levels and genres throughout, making it a veritable potpourri of non-stop wonderment. Starting with two numbers from the Musical, 'Hamilton' was the school's Musical Theatre Ensemble, whilst the whole show finalled with a raucous rock dance to 'Bat Out Of Hell'. In between all of this we were shown tap dances, commercial dances. contemporary ballet, classical ballet, jazz dances, songs, and small acting vignettes from Musicals. All of it noteworthy, all of it at a very high standard. Even the 4 year olds (a whole swarm of them!) were having a great time. [especially the one in the centre of the front row during the 'Angelina Ballerina' number... just brilliant... once I'd spotted her I couldn't stop watching her.... such fantastic co-ordination and understanding of the music in one so young!].
It was also incredibly heartening to see a group of Downs Syndrome children have their moment in the spotlight too. They performed a song in the first act, and a dance in the second, and amassed the loudest cheer of the whole show.
The choreography was age and ability appropriate at all times, and good use of the stage's space was found. Some lovely ideas and great pictures. Technically, the lighting - and use of haze - worked mostly; although the star curtain was less effective with some of the sections. There were also one or two places where the principal was left either singing or dancing without a spotlight, which was a shame. The costumes were superb, and all fitted the style and genre of the piece being peformed, and hair and make-up correct for the classical ballet sections.
It was also incredibly heartening to see a group of Downs Syndrome children have their moment in the spotlight too. They performed a song in the first act, and a dance in the second, and amassed the loudest cheer of the whole show.
The choreography was age and ability appropriate at all times, and good use of the stage's space was found. Some lovely ideas and great pictures. Technically, the lighting - and use of haze - worked mostly; although the star curtain was less effective with some of the sections. There were also one or two places where the principal was left either singing or dancing without a spotlight, which was a shame. The costumes were superb, and all fitted the style and genre of the piece being peformed, and hair and make-up correct for the classical ballet sections.
In a showcase that ran for three hours and had some 45 items to get through, I obviously had some favourites amongst them. That does not in any way diminish the ability of the others - these were just my own personal favourites - so please indulge me! In the first act they were "Wonderland" (the acrobatic cat was just amazing!); "You Are Not Alone", and "Blackbird" [I loved the Fosse-style opening]. The second act gave me the "Bend And Snap", "Bring On The Girls", and possibly my favourite dance of the show, "How To Burlesque". I also greatly enjoyed all the Musical Theatre items - since that is my forte and am trained as a MT performer myself. We had a few solo songs (all very good), as well as a full chorus showdown to end the first act. [I might mention just one of the singers here perhaps. She was in the second group of soloists and had long dark hair. She had a wonderfully mellow alto voice and would have loved to have heard more from her!].
There were also three senior solo contemporary dancers, who all three could quite easily have been professional. In fact, the standard was so high from all concerned. I brought an actress friend along with me to see this show, and she had no idea what to expect, having no bar from which to gauge; and she absolutely loved it and would happily come along again.
I could continue with my praise for ever, but probably I ought to stop now. An amazing show by super-talented young people doing what they quite obviously love. Simply brilliant and thank you for allowing me to come along! Here's to the next time! Slainte!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 23.1.22
I could continue with my praise for ever, but probably I ought to stop now. An amazing show by super-talented young people doing what they quite obviously love. Simply brilliant and thank you for allowing me to come along! Here's to the next time! Slainte!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 23.1.22
PS. With it being only a couple of days since the death of Meatloaf, a nice idea might have been to have dedicated either 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart' or 'Bat Out Of Hell' to him.
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