Dancers bring magic of African safari to stage

A BURTON dance school is bringing the magic of an African safari to the stage this weekend with its new production.

The Stephanie Parrott School of Dance will be performing a new ballet, Edward’s African Safari, at the Brewhouse Arts Centre on Saturday.

It based on the book Edward and his African Friends, by author Sonya C Lewis.

Stephanie said: “We are particularly excited as we have not been able to perform a ‘normal’ show since Covid started. This being a brand new ballet the pupils have enjoyed learning about the animals and discovering new dance movements to bring the animals to life.

“We have all the traditional animals including the big five, and the show includes lots of surprises!”

Stephanie has been teaching for 27 years and trained full time at the Royal Academy of Dance, with dancing highlights include performing at Sadler’s Wells and the Barbican Theatre in London but the most special for her, she said, was dancing for Diane, Princess of Wales.

She said: “I love teaching, I was trained by David Wall, the youngest principal to dance with Margot Fonteyn.”

Sales of T shirts, books and a Christmas raffle of safari animals will be donated to two charities, Footprints Orphanage Kenya, and International Anti Poaching Foundation.

Stephanie added: “The strong message behind the performance is ‘Now humans, we must take only photographs and leave only footprints.’”

There will be two performances of the ballet on Saturday, including a matinée that starts at 2.30pm.

Tickets are available from the Brewhouse on 01283 508100 or book online.