Celebrations

Celebrations

November 2009

​

"Celebrations" was certainly an "Extravaganza of Dance" with over 200 children taking to the Pavilion stage on Sunday 29th November 2009 in a wonderful variety of dancing, costumes and music. 

In the presence of the Mayors of Bournemouth and Poole, pupils from the eight affiliated schools of The Western Association of Ballet Schools, once again provided an unprecedented display of talent in a diverse range of subjects. 

There was the "Battle of the Dances" where 4 different styles of dance came together in a very clever arrangement from the Jan Mizen Dancers. Next came the "Eastern Passion" from the Carrington Hollywood Academy of Dance who showed great sensitivity in their modern interpretation of Jesus Christ Superstar. "Fright Night" was a spooky, ghostly tribute with bats and skeletons among the tomb stones, presented by the Academy of Dance. To close the first half the Wessex School of Dancing performed a very colourful "Chinese New Year" complete with lanterns and a dragon. 

The opening scene in Act 2 took us to Stonehenge with the very moving "Winter Solstice" performed impeccably by the Spotlight School of Dancing. The tempo changed once more to the sounds of all the Abba hits with the Rita Jenvey School of Dancing "Celebrating Abba" with some very colourful costumes. A change of style again took us to "Snow White - Celebrating Animation", with the Jane Farrell Ballet School and a variety of characters including some charming Dwarfs. A fitting climax to the show came from the First Position School of Dance with "Celebrating Pop Icons". Their tribute to Michael Jackson, The Beatles and Queen, with some impressive dancing, left the audience wanting more. 

The professional feel this show gives to the audience comes from the excellent discipline of the schools involved together with the stage crew, lighting and sound engineers who offer so much help and advice to make this a show to remember. 

When the curtain rose on the finale with all 240 children so beautifully groomed and in place on the stage it was a wonderful sight. Next year WABS is celebrating its 35th Birthday - do join us!