Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Schools display
The stage at Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre came alive as an audience of 1,300 watched the seventh Spires Academy Dance Showcase over two nights last week.
Young performers showcased their skills in a variety of dance styles from street and contemporary to Irish dancing and everything in between.
Dancers from the Spires Academy performed a contemporary number, Lost Boy, while Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School pupils in the Year 8 and 9 dance club staged their piece, Twisted Wonderland.
Young stars from Chartham Theatre School performed He Lives in You from the musical The Lion King, while the village’s primary school put on a routine to Rizzle Kicks hit Down with the Trumpets.
Little ones from Hoath Primary School – among the youngest taking part in the showcase – showed off their version of Swagger Jagger by Cher Lloyd.
As part of the link-up with the theatre, dance teachers from all schools involved will be offered a masterclass and opportunity to watch a rehearsal by Alvin Alley American Dance Theater, who will perform at the Marlowe.
And one lucky pupil from the showcase will get a place at the summer school at the Gulbenkian with the Jasmin Vardimon Company.
Spires head teacher Nicki Mattin said: “The showcase was a great success and all the dancers gave very professional performances, which the audience absolutely loved.
“It’s fantastic that all the young dancers have the opportunity to perform on the main stage of the Marlowe and we are indebted to the theatre’s managers and staff for their fantastic support in making it a memorable event.”