All the latest news from Dincwear Pro Dancewear.

Strictly’s Italian stallion Giovanni Pernice is bringing a taste of his homeland to theatres across the country.

The professional dancer is taking his new show, Made in Italy, on the road for a nationwide tour, including a number of Kent dates.
The show will be at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford on Wednesday, 15 February and at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury on Thursday, February 16. It will then return to the county for a further two shows at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley on Sunday, April 9 and the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells on Sunday, May 7.

Giovanni, who raised the Strictly Come Dancing glitterball trophy with Rose Ayling-Ellis, the show’s first ever deaf contestant, in 2021, is hoping to show people his love for dance, as well as his journey to becoming a professional, in his new tour.

“Follow your dream, put the effort in, put the hours in, and do what will make you happy,” says the 32-year-old. “I see life as a marathon, not a sprint. I didn’t start dancing [thinking] one day, I want to be a professional dancer on Strictly. I just started, I loved dancing, and from there everything moves.

“It’s a marathon and everything will come – the right place, the right time, right people. But always, do what makes you happy.” From growing up in Sicily to his time at dance school in Bologna, the live show is a love letter to Giovanni’s heritage.

The production features stunning choreography, costumes and music, all with a nod to his life in Italy, as well as Giovanni’s time on the BBC dance competition, which he joined as a professional dancer in 2015.

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Mel C takes dance lead in new show at Sadler’s Wells Theatre.

Melanie Chisholm is famous for her singing as part of The Spice Girls – she’s performed to millions on some of the biggest stages in the world. But now she’s stepping out of her comfort zone to star as one of the leads in a contemporary dance show at Sadler’s Wells in London.

The singer also hinted at a possible Spice Girls reunion during rehearsals for Julie Cunningham & Company – How Did We Get Here?

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Initial Grease Casting for West End Return Revealed.

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Initial casting has been revealed for Grease ahead of its return to the Dominion Theatre this summer.

Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s iconic show about a group of teens having a blast at high school was first seen at the venue last summer, where it played to 500,000 people. It also picked up four WhatsOnStage Award nominations in December, including Best Musical Revival and Best Choreography.

For this new run, Louise Redknapp (9 to 5, Cabaret) will play the role of Teen Angel from 2 June (when the show begins performances) and will appear through to 29 July. Returning once more to the show will be Dan Partridge as Danny, Olivia Moore as Sandy and Jocasta Almgill as Rizzo.

Louise Redknapp said: “As the biggest fan of Grease growing up I was thrilled to be asked to join the cast in the role of Teen Angel. “Traditionally seen as a male role, I’m excited to be given the opportunity to shake it up and play it from a new perspective under the direction of Nikolai Foster.”

The show is directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Dame Arlene Phillips, with further casting to be announced – including the performer playing Teen Angel for the remainder of the run.

Grease features designs by Colin Richmond, orchestrations and musical supervision by Sarah Travis, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Tom Marshall and Richard Brooker, video and projection design by Douglas O’Connell and casting by David Grindrod.

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Vibe Dance School chosen to dance at Broadway, New York.

Seventeen Pembrokeshire youngsters will be hitting Broadway this year after the Vibe School of Dance won a prestigious invitation to perform in a live New York Show.
The dancers, who are aged between nine and 22, are taught by Hannah Davey at the Vibe School of Dance which runs classes in both Pembroke Dock and Neyland. “The thrill that these children get when they perform onstage is amazing but to have an opportunity such as this and dance to a live audience on Broadway in New York is something that will remain with them for the rest of their lives,” she said.

The Vibe students have already performed twice at two official openings of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, in 2019 and 2022, and are now preparing for their debut in New York.

The school is one of only seven schools which have been selected from all over the world to perform in the Smile Production. The students will fly out on July 23 and the performance will take place three days later, on July 26.

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General News & Sighting

• A new pay deal between Equity and the Independent Theatre Council has seen pay rises and better working conditions for performers. The new deal will begin in April 2023. The minimum weekly salary will increase from £494 to £545 and minimum daily fees from £100 to £120. There will also be a 20% increase on meal, daily accommodation and commuting allowances. The touring allowance will increase to £447 in London and £410 outside of London. Producers will also have the responsibility of housing performers on tour.
• “Oklahoma” unveiled its complete West End cast. It will open at the Wyndham’s Theatre in London on the 28th of February – with previews from the 16th. The choreography is by John Heginbotham.
• New members will be joining the West End cast of “Cabaret” from the 13th of February. John McCrea will take over the role of Emcee and Aimee Lou Wood is the new Sally Bowles. The choreography is by Julia Cheng.
• The cast for the new tour of “Blood Brothers” has been revealed. The show will open in Southend on the 17th of January.
• Initial casting has been released for “Grease” ahead of its return to the Dominion Theatre on the 2nd of June. Louise Rednapp will play the role of Teen Angel. Dan Partridge is returning as Danny and Olivia Moore is Sandy. The choreography is by Arlene Phillips.
• “Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story” has confirmed its touring cast. It will star AJ Jenks and Christopher Weeks. The tour launches at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon on the 22nd of February.
• The Australian Ballet will visit the Royal Opera House in August as part of its 60th Anniversary tour.
• Casting has been announced for the world premiere of “New York, New York” on Broadway. It will be directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman and star Colton Ryan and Anna Uzele. The show opens on the 24th of March at the St James Theatre.

Future Dance Events News

• “Bat Out Of Hell” will play at the Peacock Theatre in London from the 17th of February until the 1st of April. It will then tour the UK, opening in Cornwall on the 25th of September. The choreography has been adapted by Xena Gusthart.
• “Grease” will return to the Dominion Theatre in the West End from the 2nd of June. The choreography is by Arlene Phillips.
• The musical version of “Rebecca” will play at the Charing Cross theatre in London on the 4th of September.
• Cheryl Cole has been cast for “2.22 A Ghost Story” in the West End.

Auditions & Vacancies

• House of Pyramid is auditioning for dancers in Central London on the 6th of February. For more details, contact: info@houseofpyramid.co.uk
• Propel Dance, a new professional wheelchair dance company in Birmingham, is recruiting a performer who identifies as disabled to join its new 2023 theatre production. For more information, email: info@propeldance@gmail.com
• Dane Bates has opened applications for his 5 day “Inspiro” contemporary dance programme in Liverpool. For more information, contact Dane on: danebatesmasterclasses@gmail.com
• Platinum Academy in North London is extending its list of guest teachers. To apply, contact: philipjoel@platinumacademy.co.uk
• Birmingham based Autin Dance Theatre is looking for an East Asian female dancer to join the “Out Of The Deep Blue” team as Violet. There will be 3 workshop days taking place on the 11th, 12th & 13th of February. The deadline for applications is the 23rd of January. For further information, contact: johnny@autindt.co.uk
• The Place in London is looking for applications for Choreodrome 2023. This is the annual residency programme for experienced makers to explore new artistic territory without the pressure of creating a final product. For more details visit: www.theplace.org.uk. The closing date for applications is the 23rd of January.
• You Management is auditioning for Dancers who Sing on the 26th & 27th of January and Singers who Dance on the 30th of January and the 1st & 2nd of February. Apply at: auditions2023@you-management.com

Dance Classes

• Daniela Fabbricattore will be doing an evening of Jazz and Lyrical classes on the 3rd of March at the Dance Factory. The Juniors will be from 5.30 – 6.30pm and the Intermediate / Seniors from 6.45 – 8.45pm. Contact: www.danielafabbricattore.com
• Rae Piper is doing 2 Contemporary classes for the East Midlands Dance Network on the 30th of January from 7.00 – 8.30pm & the 6th of February in Nottingham. You can book at: shorturl.at/suCoi
• Nafisah Baba is teaching a weekly Lyrical Contemporary Intermediate / Advanced class at Danceworks in London every Tuesday from 8.00 – 9.30pm.
• Renako McDonald is teaching a Contemporary Jazz class on Fridays from 6.00 – 7.00pm at Pineapple Studios.
• Lucy Jane Adcock is teaching a Show Tap class at Base Dance Studios on Wednesdays at 11.30am.
• Poppy Tremlett is offering an Improvers Choreography class at Base Dance Studios on Tuesdays from 8.30 – 10.00pm.
• Amy Ireland is teaching a Commercial Tap class at 12.15pm on Thursdays and a Contemporary Jazz class at 1.15pm on Fridays at the Pineapple Dance Studios.
• Rachel Bolsworth is teaching an Absolute Beginners Heels class from 7.00 – 8.00pm on Tuesdays and an Improvers Beginners Heels class on Monday from 8.30 – 9.30pm at Pineapple Dance Studios.
• Hannah Cleeve is giving a Heels Technique class on Wednesdays from 1.00 – 2.30pm each week at the Base Dance Studios.
• Jazz Dance Rewired will present a 2 day programme of jazz dance theatre at the Place in London on the 27th of May and the 3rd of June.
• Steffie Croxson is doing a class at “Move It” on the 12th from 12.45 – 13.30 pm.
• Malou Linders is teaching a 3 hour class at the Hub Studios in London on the 25th of January from 1.00 – 4.00pm. Book your spot on: maloulinders.com
• Kamila Zalewska is teaching at the Base Studios in London on Mondays from 4.00 – 5.25pm for intermediate/advanced level. Book on the Base app.

Film And Video

• We spotted Billy Sawyer, Emmanuel Kome & Harrison Dowzell performing on “Dancing On Ice”. The choreography was by Mark Jennings and Billy Sawyer.
• We spotted Christina Andrea in a music video for Stephen Petit. The contract was with Mass Talent.
• We spotted Mel Brill in Netflix’s “Tara Vs Bilal”.
• We spotted Molly McGibbon & Belen Leroux in Adam Lambert’s music video for “Holding Out For A Hero”. The choreography was by Mark Jennings and the contract was with Mass Movement.
• We spotted Miranda Chambers, Honey Makwana, Ken Nguyen, Stefano Saa & Naomi Patterson performing in “Everything But The Girl’s” new single “Nothing Left To Lose”. The choreography was by Miranda Chambers.
• We spotted Nicole Valverde in the new Reed TV advert. The choreography was by Johnny White, Ciaron Connolly & Jo Dyce.

View The Strictly Stars Wearing Dincwear Dancewear

From all the news team at Dincwear Dancewear, See you all next week!

This post has been created by the Dincwear Dancewear Team.