The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Perth dancers seen by worldwide audience
Youth Dance Company’s horror-themed Concert Hall show is broadcast live online
Opening with a blood-curdling scream amidst the darkness, a stunning new piece of contemporary dance was broadcast live around the world.
Haunted cries and the creepily tingling sound of a music box accompanied the young members of Perth Youth Dance Company as they emerged from the black and began to move around the Perth Concert Hall stage.
Baleful red lights illuminated the group, led by main dancer Kirsten McDonald, as they gave a world premiere performance of their vibrant horror-themed work.
It was broadcast live on YouTube to viewers worldwide, including watching family members in countries as far away as South Africa and the USA.
In the coming hours, days and weeks, it is hoped the performance will be viewed and shared countless times more, bringing contemporary dance to a new audience.
The live experiment was one of the highlights of the 2017 Perth Dance Festival, which culminated with the Great Big Dance Show yesterday.
That brought more than 130 performers from across Perth to the concert hall stage, with private schools, community and youth and inclusive groups all involved.
They were joined by guest groups including the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance Youth Company, Lothian Youth Dance Company, Scottish Dance Theatre and the professional dance company Kast.
All manner of contemporary dance styles were celebrated, with street dance proving particularly popular with the 60 or so male dancers.
On Saturday, however, the focus was on the festival’s ground-breaking live performance, which was led by Perth Youth Dance Company’s Lucy Wilson and festival producer Peter Royston.
Lucy said: “The girls had a bit of a think and came up with a horror theme for the performance.
“I’m delighted with how it all came together on stage. They are a wonderful group of girls.”
Peter said the exciting experiment had been designed to showcase the strength of contemporary dance in Perth and Kinross and bring it to a new audience.
He now hopes the live performance might become an annual part of the three-year-old festival, which is growing every year.
“It is hugely exciting to think that this performance will be viewed around the world,” Peter said.
“In the future we will definitely do more of this.”
I’m delighted with how it all came together on stage. They are a wonderful group of girls. LUCY WILSON OF PERTH YOUTH DANCE COMPANY