All the latest news from Dincwear Pro Dancewear.

Our Pro Dancer News reflects on the major dance events of the last month.

Strictly Come Dancing return date confirmed – and there’s not long to wait!

    

The BBC has confirmed the return date of Strictly Come Dancing and fans can already start applying for tickets for the live shows.

BBC Strictly’s hotly anticipated return date has been announced, and fans are already buzzing with the chance to snap up tickets.

After a whirlwind of drama surrounding the beloved dance show, including Amanda Abbington, 50, labelling pro dancer Giovanni Pernice, 33, as “cruel” and “abusive” during their training – a claim he firmly rejects – the future of Strictly seemed uncertain.

Devoted viewers expressed fears that it might face the chop amidst the turmoil, but now all worries can be laid to rest as the air date is locked in, and ticket applications are open. Straight from the BBC’s ‘Be in the audience’ page comes the thrilling announcement: “Strictly Come Dancing is back! The stunning 22nd series returns, bringing glamour and show-stopping dancing back to Saturday nights on BBC One.”

The dazzling line-up includes the chic Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman taking the helm as hosts, while the discerning panel comprised of Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood, and Motsi Mabuse pass their judgement.

The series will be broadcasting live from Elstree Studios, sprinkled with a special episode from Blackpool’s iconic Tower Ballroom.

The Launch Show kicks off on the 14th September , and for fans eager to join the glittering audience, here are the dates you could get tickets for at Elstree Studios: September 21 and 28; October 5, 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9, 23, 30; and December 7 and 14. For those hoping to catch the magic at Blackpool, mark your calendars for Saturday, November 16.

Tickets for the shows will be allocated via a random draw, with applications open until 10pm on September 2. Fans can apply for up to one pair of tickets per recording, and successful applicants will receive tickets for only one show.

People are encouraged to apply only if they intend to use the tickets themselves. Strictly enthusiasts have been on edge about the possibility of next year’s live tours being cancelled, but this latest update is sure to lift spirits.

Amidst rumours and concerns over Giovanni’s conduct on Strictly, fans are eagerly awaiting a verdict that could shake the future of the beloved dance series.

The annual tradition sees stars from the show join the professional dancers on a UK tour, thrilling audiences with their live performances. Additionally, there’s a separate tour showcasing the incredible talent of the Strictly professionals.

With scant details about the anticipated tours, one concerned fan took to Reddit to express their uncertainty: “I’m curious if there’s going to be a Strictly The Professionals or a Strictly live tour next year. Usually they would have announced it and probably had tickets on sale before now. A lot of the pros also seem to be doing their own solo shows next year.”

Yet another viewer suggested patience, noting that such announcements typically come in October, as they responded: “They normally aren’t announced until October.”

The Strictly Come Dancing tour website, a joint venture between Stage Entertainment UK and Phil McIntyre Live in association with the BBC, teases: “Announcement on 2025 tour coming soon!”

Derby dance company Déda announces liquidation.

Derby-based dance company Déda has announced it is entering voluntary insolvency because of “significant financial pressures”.

The Arts Council England-funded charity – which runs a dance and movement venue as well as co-producing the annual Derby Festé festival – said it had become “impossible” to continue operations, with rising costs outpacing a slow recovery in audience numbers since the pandemic.

The liquidation is a “severe blow to our town’s cultural landscape” said one Derby resident who is campaigning for government and local council intervention to save the venue.

Former Déda chief executive and artistic director of Derby Festé, Steve Slater, described a “battle to make ends meet” back in May, when the organisation was forced to cancel the 2024 festival due to the “biting” cost-of-living crisis.

Despite this, Déda’s team called the dance company’s voluntary insolvency “news we never thought we would have to share”.

“The pandemic posed extraordinary challenges for cultural organisations worldwide, and Déda has not been immune,” a statement on the company’s website says.

“Audience numbers have not rebounded at the pace needed to offset the rising operational costs. This has placed an unsustainable strain on our resources, making it impossible to continue our operations in the current form.”

While trustees remain hopeful that a solution will be found to avoid closure of the venue by working with stakeholders and partners, Déda acknowledged that the livelihoods of its employees and artists had been jeopardised by the decision.

“It is our sincere hope that another cultural organisation in Derby will step forward to continue our dance programme and the good work we have started,” its statement concludes.

Déda’s chair, Corey Mwamba, has promised to help Derby’s arts community “move forward together”, while an Arts Council England spokesperson said the funding body would work with Derby City Council to “help to ensure the best outcome in this difficult situation”.

Déda’s most recent filing to Companies House last December maintained that the organisation was in a “strong cash position” despite an “astronomical” hike in energy bills, but noted that financial woes had proved stressful and damaged staff morale.

A petition to “save Derby’s main dance centre” in the wake of the liquidation has already gained more than 2,800 signatures.

The petition’s creator, Camille Mauduit, wrote: “The need of the hour is for the government and local council to intervene and establish a maintainable financial plan that would preserve Déda.

“We are not merely advocating for a dance centre; we are rallying for a cornerstone of our community that enriches the life and soul of Derby.”

I Wish You Well: The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski-Trial Musical announces West End transfer.

(Diana Vickers as Gwyneth Paltrow,)

I Wish You Well: The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski-Trial Musical is heading to the West End.

The Edinburgh Fringe hit, which received a positive review from WhatsOnStage, will run at the Criterion Theatre from 11 September to 12 October 2024. It plays its final performance at Underbelly in Edinburgh this Monday, 26 August.

Penned by Roger Dipper and Rick Pearson, I Wish You Well is a four-hander parody that revolves around the infamous celebrity trial of Gwyneth Paltrow vs Terry Sanderson, following a ski slope collision.

The full Edinburgh cast is set to return for the West End run, including Diana Vickers (Dial M for Murder) as Gwyneth, Marc Antolin (Quiz) as Terry, Tori Allen-Martin (Wild About You) as Kristin and Idriss Kargbo (Wicked) as Judge Jude.

The production is directed by Shiv Rabheru and choreographed by Arlene Phillips, with musical direction by Debbi Clarke. It is produced by Paul Taylor-Mills.

BBC Strictly Come Dancing’s Kai Widdrington ‘pleased to announce’ as he reveals move after co-star ‘split’

Strictly Come Dancing star Kai Widdrington has revealed he’s own solo move after reports of a ‘split’ with co-star Nadiya Bychkova. The dancer is currently preparing for his return to the ballroom after he was announced back in June in the line-up of professional dancers returning for the 2024 series.

Last year, Kai was partnered with broadcasting legend Angela Rippon with the pair making it through to the iconic Blackpool week. The pair later headed on the Strictly Come Dancing Live 2024 tour which took place in arenas up and down the country earlier this year.

But it has now been a few weeks since the Strictly dancer began work on the upcoming series. Last month, they joined creative director Jason Gilkinson in rehearsals as they prepared the string of pro numbers that will feature throughout the series and set to be pre-recorded later this month.

But amid the hard work ahead of Strictly’s return next month (September), Kai wanted to share some news with his fans and so he took to Instagram to confirm his new show.

The 28-year-old revealed she will be hitting the road on a solo tour next year, titled EVOLUTION, which will be stopping at venues in Swansea, Doncaster, Leicester, Dublin, Belfast and Dublin in May and June 2025.

Alongside a post for the show, Kai wrote on Instagram: “Are you ready… I’m so pleased to announce I’m back for my own solo headline tour next year, it’s going to be bigger and better than ever! EVOLUTION…

“I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and new faces for more fun, laughter and dancing. I’m also pleased to say – Ireland I’m coming back to see you!! See you in 2025.”

General News & Sighting

• Enrolment in arts GCSE’s has “collapsed” by almost half since 2010, with performing arts and dance subjects suffering the biggest decline in uptake this year. (The Stage)
• Derby based dance company DEDA has announced that it is entering voluntary insolvency because of “significant financial pressures”.
• Janette Manrara will be discussing her new book “Tiny Dancer, Big World” on the 13th of September at Pilrig St Paul’s Church in Edinburgh at 7.00 pm.
• Amy Dowden announced the publishing of her book “Dancing In The Rain”.
• Kai Widdrington announced his “Evolution” tour will open in May 2025.
• The Royal Ballet has appointed Stuart Cassidy as Repetiteur to the Principle artists.
• New musical “Lizzie” has revealed its full company. It will star Kayleigh McKnight, Katie Tonkinson and Jennifer Caldwell. The choreography is by William Whelton and Yandass Ndlovu.The production will run from the 17th of October until the 17th of November at the Hope Mill theatre.
• The new Steps musical “Here and Now” announced its complete cast. It will star Rebecca Lock and Hiba Elchikhe and has choreography by Matt Cole and Jane McMurtrie. The show will run at Birmingham’s Alexandre theatre from the 9th of November until the 30th of November.
• “I Wish You Well” the Gwyneth Paltrow Ski Trial musical is moving from Edinburgh to the West End. It will run at the Criterion Theatre from the 11th of September until the 12th of October. The show stars Diana Vickers as Gwyneth and has choreography by Dame Arlene Phillips.
• Full casting has been announced for “Cake” which is set to run at The Other Palace from the 13th of September until the 10th of November. The show will star Zizi Strallen and Renee Lamb and have choreography by Drew McOnie and Christopher Tendai.
• Complete casting has been revealed for the UK premiere of “SuperYou” which will open at the Curve theatre in Leicester on the 22nd of October. The show will star Vicki Manser and Will Bozier and have choreography by JoAnn M Hunter and Will Bozier.

Future Dance Events News

• “Clueless” is coming to the West End. The show will have choreography by Kelly Devine and will open at the Trafalgar theatre on the 15th of February 2025.
• The world premiere of the new musical “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” will be staged in Bath in the Spring of 2025.
• “The Lightening Thief” is set to open at The Other Palace in London from the 23rd of November until the 2nd of February 2025. It will be directed and choreographed by Lizzie Gee.
• “Bat Out of Hell” has revealed tour dates and venues for its 2025 tour. The show will star Glenn Adamson and Katie Tonkinson and has choreography by Xenia Gusthart. The show will open in Edinburgh on the 6th of January 2025.
• Disney’s animated classic “Hercules” is headed for the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in the Summer of 2025. It will have choreography by Casey Nicholaw and Tanisha Scott.
• The UK premiere of “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” will take place at the Donmar Warehouse on the 7th of December. The show has choreography by Ellen Kane.
• The Curve Theatre in Leicester has announced the UK premiere of “Muriel’s Wedding The Musical”. The show will be choreographed by Andrew Hallsworth and will run from the 10th of April until the 10th of May 2025.
• The world premiere of “Wild Rose” will run from the 6th of March until the 5th of April 2025 at the Lyceum theatre in Scotland. It has choreography by Steven Hoggett.
• “Calamity Jane” will tour the UK and Ireland before a West End run in 2025. It has choreography by Nick Winston.
• The Leeds Playhouse will host the world premiere of “Coraline – A Musical” from the 11th of April to the 11th of May 2025 before the show embarks on a UK tour. The choreography is by EJ Boyle.
• “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” is set to embark on a world tour in 2025. The new production will launch in the UK while its West End staging will continue its run at the Piccadilly theatre.
• The musical “Lizzie” will return to the Hope Mill theatre in Manchester from the 17th of October until the 11th of November. It is directed and choreographed by William Whelton with associate choreography by Yandass Ndlovu.
• “Mary Poppins” announced a new UK tour. It will star Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers and have choreography by Sir Matt Bourne and Stephen Mear. The show will open on the 4th of November at the Bristol Hippodrome.
• “Magic at the Musicals” will return to the Royal Albert Hall on the 22nd of September. Participating in the event so far are: “Hadestown”, “Mamma Mia”, “Six” & “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical”.
• “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat” is set to return for a new tour starring Donny Osmond. It will open at the Edinburgh Playhouse on the 3rd of December. The choreography is by JoAnn M Hunter.
• A stage musical based on Prince’s film and album “Purple Rain” is in the works with producer Orin Wolf.
• “The Wizard of Oz” has confirmed the full cast for its tour of the UK and Ireland. The choreography is by Shay Barclay. The show will open in Liverpool on the 13th of December 2024.
• “Some Like It Hot” is coming to the West End in 2025. It will be directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw.
• Full casting has been revealed for the first UK and Ireland tour of “Aladdin”. Gavin Adams will star with Desmonda Cathabel as Jasmine. Sarah Benbelaid is the Assistant Dance Captain. The show will open in Edinburgh in October.

Auditions & Vacancies

• House of Pyramid is looking for freestyle dancers for an event in London on the 15th of September. For more information email: info@houseofpyramid.co.uk
• Unlimited, in partnership with Sadlers Wells, is offering 2 UK Partner Awards of £15,000 and £60,000 to disabled artists based in England. The application deadline is the 30th of September.
• Addict Dance Academy is looking for dance teachers in Jazz, Ballet and Contemporary. Send you CV to: gareth@addictdanceacademy.co.uk
• Lauren Gore is looking for tap dancers who also dance commercial for a celebrity cruise contract. You can send your CV and any footage to Lauren via her Instagram link.
• AJK is looking for dance couples (male & female) for a commercial shoot in Europe on the 10 – 12th of September. Contact: info@ajkagency.com
• BPA Camden is looking for a Contemporary and Street dance teacher to join the team on Saturdays. For more information, email: bpacamden@gmail.com
• CAPA College is looking for a Commercial / Jazz dance teacher and a Classical dance teacher. Look at the website for more details.
• Scottish Ballet is looking for 2 female and 2 male dancers. Look at the website for details.
• ZooNation is looking for dancers for the period of October until December. Visit the website for details.

Dance Classes

• Mica Bradbury, Soloist with the Royal Ballet, has an “Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland” workshop at the Royal Opera House on the 6th of October. You can email Mica for more details on: micabeau@gmail.com
• Christina Mittelmaier has started Ballet classes at Pineapple Studios in London every Thursday.
• Victoria Martin and Vincent Simone have a weekend of Argentine Tango and Latin Dance at the Dunadry Hotel in Templepatrick from the 24th to the 27th of January. You can book on: Home | NI Dancesport | Northern Ireland UK
• Danielle Cato has a workshop on the 26th of October from 1.30 – 5.00 pm at the Landport Community Centre in Portsmouth. For more information, you can contact: meghannbuckley@aol.co.uk
• Chelsie Fitzharris has a Dance Fit class every Tuesday from 6.30 – 7.15 pm at the Measham Leisure Centre.
• Emily Rose has a Commercial class on the 8th of December at 2.30 pm at the Manor studios in London.
• Aimee Worth has a pop-up Jazz class at the Manor in London on the 6th of October at 12.30 pm.
• Serena McCall is doing a Contemporary Fusion workshop in Krakow, Poland, on the 7th & 8th of December.
• Erin Boag and Vincent Simone will do a Tango masterclass at the Kingston Workmen’s Club on the 19th of September. You can book tickets on: http://www.erinboag.com/tango
• Tyra Roberts is doing a Commercial Choreography dance class at John Reed Fitness in London every Tuesday at 6.30 pm.
• Amy Ireland has weekly classes on Fridays at 10.00 am at the Pineapple Dance Studios in London.
• Keith and Judy Clifton have a new beginners class on Thursdays at the Grimsby Town Hall from 7.30 – 8.30 pm. Contact: keith.clifton@icloud.com
• Lizzie McConachie has a commercial class on Mondays at Pineapple Studios from 7.30 – 8.30 pm.
• Aimee Casey has an Adult Ballet class at Flame Studios in Cardiff on Fridays from 6.30 – 7.30 pm.
• Lucy Jane Adcock has 2 weekly classes at the Base dance studios in London on Sundays at 11.30 am and on Wednesdays at 10.00 am.
• Christina Andrea has a Commercial Edge class at Base Studios on Thursdays from 2.30 – 4.00 pm.
• Beth Ackroyd is doing an Adult Ballet class at the Fresh Ground in Battersea on Thursdays from 11.00 am – 12.00 pm. You can contact Beth on: beth.lauren@live.com
• Veronika Wiktoria is starting a Street Jazz class every Monday at 5.30 pm at the Base dance studios with Ralitsa Chepisheva.
• Lil J is offering a sassy Commercial class at the Pineapple Dance Studios on Tuesdays at 4.15 pm. You can book on the Pineapple app.
• Dominique Marinho is teaching a Beginners Heels class on Tuesdays at Pineapple Studios from 3.45 – 4.45 pm.

Film & TV

• “Wicked” released a brand new trailer for the first movie.
• The hit 2021 film “In The Heights” has been added to the BBC iplayer.
• We spotted the following dancers in the new “Beetlejuice” movie: Nicole Alphonce, Ebony Clarke, Saffron Fisher, Yasmin Harrison, MacKenzie Hunt and Andrew Lyle.
• We spotted the following dancers performing with Zara Larsson at The Hundred Final: Zhane Samuels, Alex Novelli, Summer Villiers, Broghan Woods & Mari Macleod. The choreography was by Jay Revell.
• We spotted the following dancers performing with Rita Ora at the Lovestream Festival in Slovakia: Zadie Amelia, Lashay Harvey, Elise Clinton, Emma Nielsenn, Kenzie Hunt & Pippa Atkinson.
• We spotted the following dancers performing on “The Voice”: Mari Macleod, Angel Grace Wharmby, Toni Paise & Harrison Creech. The choreography was by Jerry Reeve and Lukas McFarlane and the agency was Kutes.
• We spotted Anjula Kelly performing with Carrie Underwood in Las Vegas.

Pro Dancer News Published by the Dincwear Pro Dancewear Team.

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