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WELCOME TO THE WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF BALLET SCHOOLS

Bringing YoungTalent to the Big Stage

“to educate children in the art of dance and to give them the opportunity and experience of performing in public”.

Modern Ballet Dancers

ABOUT US

THE OFFICERS & PRINCIPALS, BECOME A PATRON & OUR GRANT SCHEME

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

SHOW DATES, TICKETS AND LATEST WORKSHOPS

ORDER A COPY OF OUR LATEST SHOW

AVAILABLE AS DVD, USB OR DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

PAST SHOWS ARCHIVES

INFOMATION PICS AND VIDEOS FROM OUT PAST PREFORMANCES

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About Us

BRINGING PERFORMANCE TO LIFE

WABS 

The Church of England's Children's Society Annual Matinee 

took place at the Pavilion Theatre for some 30 years and was the inspiration for WABS. Christopher Shiner, a local musician, arranged the music and conducted the orchestra for the last "matinee" in December 1972.

In 1973 Janice Perry, principle of the Selsdon School of Dancing, together with 5 other teachers and Christopher Shiner, formed the Bournemouth Association of Ballet Schools. In 1975 the name was changed to the Western Association of Ballet Schools (WABS) with Christopher Shiner as Chairman and large scale productions were produced, first at the Winter Gardens and then from 1980 at the Pavilion Theatre.

In 1979 WABS became a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee with it's objectives being "to educate children in the art of dance and to give them the opportunity and experience of preforming in public".

WABS is administered by a committee of trustees and these, along with the dancing school principals, undertake there activities on a voluntary basis and receive no remuneration for their services.

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JANE MIZEN DANCERS

JANETTA MIZEN

Meet The Officers

The team of volunteers and dancing school principals at WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF BALLET SCHOOLS work hard in the background to produce compelling performances and experiences for all the pupils involved with WABS . We wouldn’t be where we are today if not for their amazing talent and hard work. These are the faces behind the Dance.

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PAULINE HOPKINS

CHAIRMAN

ALISON LATTER

TREASURER & SECRETARY

Grant Scheme

The grant scheme, which was introduced in 2002, is continuing to give many WABS students the opportunity to take part in professionally run Easter and Summer courses, as well as attending  professional schools teaching ballet, contemporary and modern jazz. Fees are subsidized by a percentage of the total cost, which is dependent on the number of students applying and the amount of funds available. This scheme gives the WABS students the opportunity to further their dance training and to gain an insight into the dancing profession.

Any WABS students who are interested can obtain the necessary application form from their dance teacher.



The WABS grant allowed me to take part in this exciting and beneficial experience and i couldn't be more grateful for the help it gave me."

MARTHA TRIBE CENTRAL SCHOOL OF BALLET SUMMER SCHOOL

"I went to Urdang Academy with some others from my dance school and had an incredible time there, so thank you WABS as you gave me these opportunities which i will always treasure."

KIMI EXLEY

" I got a grant to help me go to Bournemouth Pavilion summer school. I hope to do it again next year as i got so much out of it, so thank you very much."

LILIANA DART

Dates for your diary

SUPPORT THE CHILDREN AND ENJOY ONE OF OUR SHOWS

WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF BALLET SCHOOLS

 If you’re interested in seeing one of our productions, take a look at our calendar for a listing of current and upcoming events. We hope you’ll join us soon!

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OUR MAIN SHOW
(PAVILION THEATRE)

SUN 20TH NOV 2022

WABS are looking forward to entertaining you again with our annual dance spectacular "KINGS & QUEENS"

Celebrating Everything Royal Through Dance, at the Bournemouth Pavilion stage.

TICKETS AVAILABLE

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PERFORMERS WORKSHOP

NEXT WORKSHOP MARCH 2023

We are pleased to announce our next workshop is scheduled for March 2023!
Details will be shared with you soon.

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MUSIC AND DANCE
(THE LAYARD SHOW)

JULY 2023

A fantastic opportunity and exciting day in our calendar.

Consisting of  2 performances, the proceeds of these go directly to help us to fund our Pavilion shows, student grants and workshops.

Please do come along, enjoy the show and give your support.

BUY TICKETS HERE WHEN AVAILABLE

Buy Tickets
Jumping Dancer

Past Shows

THE WABS  ARCHIVE

Here you can browse an archive of all our past performances over the years. Here you will find videos, pictures and information we have kept or accumulated over the years.

if you have anything to add please feel free to contact the Chairman on info@wabs.info so we can keep the archive updated.

Thank you.

LET'S DANCE

OPENS JANUARY 22, 2022

Find Out More
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LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION

2019 PAVILION

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MAGICAL CHRISTMAS

2018 PAVILION

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WISH UPON A STAR

2017 PAVILION

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LETTERS TO SANTA

2016 PAVILION

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RUBY

2015 PAVILION

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ENCHANTED

2014 PAVILION

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ONE MOMENT IN TIME

2013 PAVILION

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DANCING INTO CHRISTMAS

2012 PAVILION

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JEWELS OF THE DANCE

2011 PAVILION

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MAGIC MOMENTS

2010 PAVILION

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CELEBRATIONS

2009 PAVILION

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BEYOND THE BALLET SHOES

2008 PAVILION

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TALES FOR A WINTER NIGHT

2007 PAVILION

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ONCE UPON A TIME

2006 PAVILION

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DANCING FOR JOY

2005 PAVILION

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MOVIE MAGIC

2004 PAVILION

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DANCE OF THE PLANETS

2003 PAVILION

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JUBILEE

2002 PAVILION

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THE SNOW QUEEN

2001 PAVILION

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SEASONS

2000 LAYARD

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HEROES AND HEROINES

1999 PAVILION

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THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

1998 PAVILION

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STORY TIME

1997 PAVILION

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21 DANCING YEARS

1996 PAVILION

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STARS & STRIPES

1995 PAVILION

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THE EMPERORS NEW CLOTHES

1994 PAVILION

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DICK WHITTINGTON

1993 PAVILION

NO MORE INFO
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DANCING INTO EUROPE

1992 WINTER GARDENS

NO MORE INFO
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ALICE IN WONDERLAND

1991 WINTER GARDENS

NO MORE INFO
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AHOY SAVOY

1991 WINTER GARDENS

NO MORE INFO
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THE SNOWMAN

1990 WINTER GARDENS

NO MORE INFO
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WABS IN CONCERT

1989 POOLE ARTS CENTRE

NO MORE INFO
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CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG

1987 PAVILION

NO MORE INFO
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THE SNOWMAN

1986 WINTER GARDEN

NO MORE INFO
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DISNEY MAGIC

1985 PAVILION

NO MORE INFO
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HANS ANDERSON FAIRY TALES

1984 PAVILION

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IMPRESSIONS

1983 PAVILION

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ALICE IN WONDERLAND

1982 PAVILION

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ARABIAN FANTASY

1981 PAVILION

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THE SNOW QUEEN

1980 PAVILION

NO MORE INFO
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IF ONLY

1979 PAVILION

NO MORE INFO
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SEASONS

1978 PAVILION

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RAINBOW

1977 PAVILION

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ESCAPADE

1976 PAVILION

NO MORE INFO
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LEGENDS

1975 PAVILION

NO MORE INFO

ROMEO AND JULIET

OPENS MARCH 22, 2022

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WEST SIDE STORY

OPENS DECEMBER 22, 2022

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