As the new school year gets back in swing, we take a retrospective look back at what happened at the close of last term...
From 3-6 July at the Sundial Theatre Cirencester, local dance
school, Cirencester Creative Dance Academy (CCDA), staged their annual dance
show. CCDA's summer show is always a
highlight in the local calendar and, despite the performers ranging from just 3
years old to 18; the quality of their performances is surprisingly
professional. This year CCDA surpassed
all previous shows and included a truly amazing, one-act, balletic version of
the C.S Lewis children’s fantasy novel, the Lion, the Witch and the
Wardrobe. Principal, Katherine- Lucy
Bates, choreographed and directed a contemporary ballet that, although has been
staged in the US, has never been performed professionally in this country.
The ballet, which mirrored the original story throughout in terms
of style and period, was set in wartime England with the 4 leading characters
Lucy, Susan, Peter and Edmund portrayed by Amy Williamson, Georgia Bew, Emma
Clifford and Sota Ondera. Each of these young
dancers performed throughout with grace, conviction and an authenticity beyond
their young years. The wardrobe, which
plays such a central role in the storyline, was cleverly staged by dancers
inside what can only be described as giant brown bean-bags – each dancer, with
arms and legs stretched out, formed a panel of the wardrobe. This imaginative staging allowed the ballet
to flow from scene to scene with great continuity.
The casting for this production was superb. The talented Kathryn King played Tumnus in
brilliant character, the White Witch by the very poised Caley Merchant and the
immensely gifted and graceful Molly Beebee played a truly regal and stunning
Aslan. One of the great skills of CCDA’s shows is the way that Katherine integrates
the older more experienced dancers with the very youngest – this production was
no exception. The audience was delighted
by the irregular appearances of the very youngest dancers and, on one occasion,
dressed as the most adorable little owls. Their costumes, like all of those in
the show, were absolutely stunning and so cleverly put together.
The second part of the evenings’ entertainment was a patchwork of
dance styles that included tap, modern, jazz and street. Here one could see the children let their
hair down, so to speak, and really express themselves in their own way through
both song and dance. The evening was truly entertaining and is definitely not
just for the friends and relatives of the dancers. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, in
terms of choreography and staging, was worthy of a far greater audience than
the Sundial can produce and suggestions have already been made that Katherine should
discuss this production with a professional dance company…watch this space!
Michelle Folt-Holt July 2013
The casting for this production was superb. The talented Kathryn King played Tumnus in
brilliant character, the White Witch by the very poised Caley Merchant and the
immensely gifted and graceful Molly Beebee played a truly regal and stunning
Aslan. One of the great skills of CCDA’s shows is the way that Katherine integrates
the older more experienced dancers with the very youngest – this production was
no exception. The audience was delighted
by the irregular appearances of the very youngest dancers and, on one occasion,
dressed as the most adorable little owls. Their costumes, like all of those in
the show, were absolutely stunning and so cleverly put together.
