All the latest news from Dincwear Pro Dancewear.

Kym Marsh and daughter Emilie Cunliffe join Take That musical tour.

Kym Marsh and her daughter Emilie Cunliffe are to star in the Take That musical Greatest Days playing the same role, with Marsh as the present-day Rachel and Cunliffe as young Rachel. The previously announced tour will open on May 6 at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley and will run until November 25, when it plays at Leeds Grand Theatre.

The tour coincides with the cinematic release of the show’s movie adaptation in the summer, which stars Aisling Bea and Jayde Adams. Further casting is to be announced.

Marsh said: “I’m delighted to be returning to theatre and joining the cast of Greatest Days. I was in my early twenties when Take That were at the height of their fame, and, of course, I was a huge Take That fan – who wasn’t?

“Their music takes me back to so many special times in my life as it will for so many other people. I’m thrilled to be working with my daughter, Emilie, too. She’s a real talent and I can’t wait to share the stage with her.”

Cunliffe added: “I’m really excited to be joining the cast of Greatest Days. I grew up listening to Take That with mum, so what an honour it is to be part of this brilliant musical celebrating their music. I’m really close to my mum and getting to work with her is a dream come true.”

Marsh has previously appeared as Annette in Saturday Night Fever in the West End and in the stage adaptation of Fatal Attraction.

The book of Greatest Days is by Tim Firth, with co-direction by Stacey Haynes and Tim Firth, choreography by Aaron Renfree, set and costume design by Lucy Osborne, lighting design by Rob Casey, sound design by Tony Gayle, casting by David Grindrod Burton Casting, musical supervision by John Donovan, costume supervision by Martin Rodges. Greatest Days was originally produced as The Band by David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers and Take That, which opened in September 2017. Adam Kenwright produces the UK and Ireland Tour of Greatest Days for Kindred Partners.

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Arlene Phillips to choreograph new musical co-created by journalist Matt Cain.

Arlene Phillips is to choreograph a brand new musical set on Canal Street in Manchester that will have its premiere later this year. Drag Addict is co-written by journalist and novelist Matt Cain and composer David Andrew Wilson and will be directed by Jonathan O’Boyle. It will run at Home in Manchester from July 18 to August 13, with a press night on July 25.

It is set on Canal Street, where Club Fierce is under threat from property developers.

“But Dolly Ravage, who runs the club and is the unofficial godmother of the Gay Village, isn’t going down without a fight,” a press release for the show states. It is described as having original “high energy bangers, ballads and earworm songs”.

Cain said: “In my novels and journalism I’ve always loved exploring themes of LGBTQ+ identity, culture and community, asking what it means to be gay or queer in our modern, digital world. So it’s a real thrill to be opening up this new channel for my creativity and exploring the same themes in musical theatre. I’m also overjoyed to be creating a show that pays tribute to my home city of Manchester, a city that saved my life as a teenager and helped shape both the person and the writer I’ve become today.”

Wilson said that much of the musical was written in lockdown, adding: “Writing pop music has always been my number one passion and I am so excited that I’ve had the opportunity to write a show that incorporates modern pop to 90s dance to Broadway big band in an entirely original score.”

It is produced by JAS Theatricals, Aria Entertainment and Home.

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Laura Pick to lead Wicked cast on tour.

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Laura Pick is to lead the cast of the UK and Ireland tour of Wicked. Laura will continue in the role of Elphaba, which she previously played in the West End.

The touring production opens in Edinburgh on December 7 and runs until 2025. Locations that have been announced include Bristol, Birmingham, Bradford, Southampton, Liverpool, Dublin, Sunderland, Cardiff and Manchester.

Laura is also set to performing Defying Gravity from the musical as the BBC records Big Night of the Musicals on the evening of February 27. She said: “I’m thrilled to be leading the UK and Ireland tour cast of Wicked and to be given the opportunity to continue my journey in the unique and extraordinary role of Elphaba, which first began for me in the West End in 2017.

“Wicked has been a life and career-changing show for me and I am proud to be part of the cast taking this incredible musical back to theatres across the UK and Ireland.” Further casting for the tour is to be announced.

Wicked is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, the Araca Group, Jon B. Platt, and David Stone, with executive producer (UK and Ireland) Michael McCabe.

The musical has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman.

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Six extends West End booking period by six months.

The homegrown British hit musical SIX, written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, has extended its record-breaking reign at the Vaudeville Theatre until April 2024, with tickets now on sale.

The news comes in addition to the show’s win at the recent WhatsOnStage Awards, where SIX was crowned London’s Best West End Show. Received by members of the West End cast at the prestigious ceremony at the Prince of Wales Theatre, the award marked the second time SIX has received the highly-coveted award, where it continues to play to sold out houses at each performance at the Vaudeville Theatre.

With tickets proving so popular, producers have also extended the booking period, adding a future six months of SIX, with performances booking up to April 2024, allowing its ground-breaking reign to continue in the capital, featuring cast members Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky (Aragon), Baylie Carson (Boleyn), Claudia Kariuki (Seymour), Dionne Ward-Anderson (Cleves), Koko Basigara (Howard), Roxanne Couch (Parr) and the incredible alternate performers Monique Ashe-Palmer, Danielle Rose, Leah Vassell, Rachel Rawlinson and Esme Rothero.

SIX can be seen live on stage at London’s Vaudeville Theatre, the Lena Horne Theatre in New York, across the UK on its current sell-out, record-breaking tour, with two concurrent North American tours, a recent Australian tour and forthcoming productions due to play Korea, Holland and Canada.

The new booking period, which goes on sale today, will see SIX play up until Sunday 28 April 2024, including a hugely popular Sing-along performance on Sunday 21 January and numerous access performances, providing Audio Description, British Sign Language Interpretation and Captioning for audience members to experience.

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Phoenix Dance and Drama win 13 trophies at dance competition.

A dance school based in Upton headed to Blackpool Tower for a competition over the weekend.
Phoenix Dance and Drama offers a wide range of classes including ballet, tap, modern, disco, street, acro and drama for children aged two and a half up to adults. The primary aim of the school is for children to learn to dance and progress at their own pace and ability in a safe and friendly environment.

Run by Gillian Stott, the group regularly participate in shows, displays and competitions.
The group performed 12 dance routines with themes such as Peter Pan, Cartoon Heroes, Disney and Cats. Overall, the group was awarded 13 trophies in the competition.

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General News & Sighting

• Congratulations to Dame Arlene Phillips on being awarded an Olivier Special Award.
• Max Maslen and Lachlan Monaghan have been promoted to Principle dancers at the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
• Leeds based dancer Akeim Toussaint has won the £10,000 Dance Theatre Prize at the Arts Foundation Futures Awards.
• Ashley Banjo is to star in “The Wizard of Oz” at the London Palladium. The show opens on the 23rd of June and has choreography by Shay Barclay.
• Disney’s “Aladdin” is to embark on its first ever tour of the UK and Ireland. It will be directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw and will open in Edinburgh on the 24th of October.
• The lead casting has been revealed for the upcoming tour of “Shrek The Musical”. Joanne Clifton will play Princess Fiona. The choreography is by Nick Winston.
• “La Bamba” announced its creative team. It will be choreographed by Graziano di Prima and Giada Lini and open at the Curve Theatre in Leicester on the 1st of August.
• “Six” has extended its West End run until 2024. (read more in headlines)
  
• Magic Radio have confirmed the initial participants for their upcoming “Magic at the Musicals” concert at the Royal Albert Hall. They include: “We Will Rock You”, “The Great British Bake Off”, “Matilda”, “Crazy For You” and “Guys and Dolls”.
• Jo Scanlan and Tap Attack will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Tap Class at “Move It” on the 12th of March at 11.30pm. If you are a tap dancer, contact “Move It” to take part.
• Soar (Josh Ricketts) has a Beginner Street Dance Competition on the 30th of April at the Oldham Leisure Centre.
• Emilie Gerrity, Isabella LaFreniere, Roman Mejia & Mira Nadon have been promoted to Principle dancers at the New York Ballet.
• STOP PRESS – Dame Arlene Phillips will choreograph a new musical titled “Drag Addict”. (read more in headlines)

Future Dance Events News

• The upcoming “Wicked” tour has announced its lead casting. Laura Pick will play Elphaba. The show will open in Edinburgh on the 7th of December. The choreography is by Wayne Cilento.
• “Jesus Christ Superstar” will tour the UK in 2023/4 opening in Manchester this September. The choreography is by Drew McOnie.
• “The Wizard of Oz” will embark on a UK tour at Liverpool Empire on the 13th of December. The choreography is by Shay Barclay.
• The UDO British Dance Festival will take place in Blackpool from the 17th – 19th of March.
• The first headline acts have been announced for this years “Breakin Convention” at Sadlers Wells from the 28th of April until the 1st of May.
• “Come From Away” has confirmed plans for a new tour beginning in March 2024. The choreography is by Tara Wilkinson and Kirsty Malpas.
• Christopher Tendai is producing and choreographing “Wonderland In Alice” which will premiere at the Peckham Theatre in London on the 6th of April.
• Chantry Dance Company will be performing “Ghost Dances” on the 25th & 26th of April at the Guildhall Arts Centre.
• The Scottish Ballet will be performing “Coppelia” at Sadlers Wells in London from the 2nd to the 5th of March.
• “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

• “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – The Teen Edition” is holding open auditions for those aged between 13 – 19 on the 4th of March at the John Marley Centre in Newcastle. For more information, contact: jamie@westendprep.co.uk
• “The Lion King” is looking for exceptional dancers for its UK & Ireland tour. It has open auditions at the Rambert in London on the 13th of March. Check the website for further details.
• The Hong Kong Academy For Performing Arts is looking for a Head of Contemporary Dance. The deadline for applications is the 20th of March. Visit the website for further details: www.hkapa.edu/
• The Boury Academy and Studios is looking for dance teachers in Vauxhall. For more information, contact: info@thebouryacademy.co.uk
• Sammi Lee Jayne is offering a Mock Audition at Huskys Studios in London on the 5th of March from 4.00 – 6.30pm. You can sign up via the link in Sammi’s Instagram bio.
• One Dance UK is looking for experienced Trustees to join the Board. You can visit the website for more details. The deadline for applications is the 20th of March.
• Ballet Black is auditioning for dancers on the 16th of March in London. The audition is by invitation only. The closing date for applications is the 1st of March. For more information, contact: admin@balletblack.co.uk
• Burn The Floor is looking for exceptional ballroom dancers. Contact: jorja@burnthefloor.com
• One Dance UK is sponsoring the Emerging Jazz Artist Platform – offering 4 emerging UK jazz choreographers a chance to showcase their work at “Up Close and Personal”. The winners receive a performance fee. The deadline to apply is the 28th of February. See the website for further details.
• Dancewest Festival (formerly the Ignition Dance Festival) is offering established dance artists £5,000 to create a new work for the festival. It is also offering emerging dance artists £1,750 to create a new work for the community dance platforms. Have a look at the website for further details.
• Butlins is looking for male dancers who are technically trained in a variety of dance styles for its 2023 production shows. Visit the website for further details.
• 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

Dance Classes

• Chris Marney is teaching a class at Danceworks in London on the 3rd of March at 11.30am.
• Mica Bradbury is teaching a Royal Ballet Technique class on the 26th of March at the Royal Opera House from 2.30 – 5.30pm. For more information, contact Mica on: micabeau@gmail.com
• Sophie Sullivan is doing a Heels workshop on the 5th of March from 1.00 – 2.30pm at Studio 68 in London.
• Bethany Entwistle is teaching a class each Tuesday from 8.15 – 9.30pm at the Dance House in Leeds.
• Tracey Iliffe is doing a “Parisian Showgirl Technique” class at Pineapple Dance Studios on the 19th of March from 12.30 – 2.00pm.
• Liv Quantrill and Scarlett Ellyse are doing a workshop on the 5th of March from 12.00 – 3.00pm at Dance Jam in Sunderland.
• Lance Savali is giving a workshop on the 11th of March from 2.00 – 3.30pm at Studio Novelli.
• Tap master Jo Scanlan is teaching at “Move It” on Saturday at 11.15am.
• Emma Levene is offering a General Ballet Core and Stretch Contemporary class at Forest Gate Community School on Thursdays from 7.00 – 8.00pm. Email to book: doubletwistdance@gmail.com
• Erica Mulkern is teaching an Adult Ballet class at the Otley Studio on the 4th of March from 2.00 – 3.30pm. Contact: info@otleystudio.co.uk
• Michael Naylor is teaching a new class on Thursdays at the Base Dance Studios from 2.30 – 4.00pm. Book via the Base app.
• Alexandre Novelli is offering a Beginners Commercial for Adults class every Tuesday at her Novelli Studios from 6.00 – 7.00pm.
• Shelley Ann is doing a 2 hour Lyrical / Contemporary & Commercial workshop at the Flash in Welshpool on the 14th of April. To reserve a place: shelleyannchoreography_@hotmail.com
• Amy Ireland has a Commercial Tap class at Pineapple Dance Studios in London on Thursdays at 12.15pm and a Contemporary Jazz class at 1.15pm. On Fridays Amy teaches Beginners Tap at 10.15am.
• Leonie Sian is doing a creative Contemporary Fusion class at “Move It” on the 12th of March at 10.30am.
• Erica Mulkern is hosting an Easter Dance Workshop on the 12th of April from 10.00am – 1.00pm at the Abinitio School of Dance in Brighouse. To book your place, email Erica on: ericamulkern1414@gmail.com
• Jordi Guitart is doing a dance class on Saturday the 11th of March at 3.30pm at “Move It”.
• Daniela Fabbricatore 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
• Nafisah Baba is teaching a weekly Lyrical Contemporary Intermediate / Advanced class at Danceworks in London every Tuesday from 8.00 – 9.30pm.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 Rachel Muldoon dancing on “Saturday Night Takeaway”. The choreography was by Matt Flint and Stephanie Powell Baxter.
• We spotted Kieran D-W & Pfion Vince performing with Alicia Keys at Moncler’s “The Art of Genius” at London Fashion Week. The choreography was by Paul Roberts and Layla Ellison. The contract was with Mass Movement.
• We spotted Lisa Spencer in the advert for Orgain drinks.
• We spotted Abbie Brown and Sasha Woodward performing at the Richard Quinn show at London Fashion Week. The choreography was by Dane William Bates.
• We spotted Nikkita Chadha, Katie Anjuli, Mervin Noronha & Hannah Veerapen in the new film “What’s Love Got To Do With It!”. The choreography was by Anthony Van Laast.
• We spotted Sammi Lee Jayne performing with Zara Larson at the G.A.Y Club in London.

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.