All the latest news from Dincwear Pro Dancewear.

We are back after our Summer break! Our Pro Dancer News reflects on the major dance events of the last month.

Aljaž Škorjanec returns to the Strictly Come Dancing Ballroom as a Professional Dancer.

 

Aljaž Škorjanec will return to the Strictly Come Dancing Ballroom as a Professional Dancer for the brand-new series. After a two year hiatus, fan favourite Aljaž is waltzing back onto our screens for the 20th year of the nation’s favourite dance show. The news was revealed this evening (Monday 8 July) on The One Show.

The multi-award-winning entertainment show, produced by BBC Studios, will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for its new series this Autumn. As Strictly celebrates two spectacular decades of dance, this series promising to be extra special with even more glitz, glamour and unforgettable performances.

Aljaž Škorjanec is a World-Class Professional Dancer and a 19 time Slovenian champion in Ballroom, Latin and Ten dance, who graced the nation with his fancy footwork on Strictly for nine iconic series. Aljaž and his celebrity partner Abbey Clancy raised the Glitterball in his debut year on the show in 2013 and was a runner up in 2017 with partner, Gemma Atkinson.

Aljaž says: “I could not be more ecstatic to be back with the Strictly family! This year is such a special one for this legendary show, I can’t wait to be a part of it and make my return to the dancefloor. I had an absolute ball during my nine year stint on Strictly, during my time away I became a parent, which has been an exciting challenge in itself and now I’m ready to experience the Strictly magic again. It feels so right to be coming back, I missed the fun, glitter and the judges of course and I hope to make my daughter Lyra proud!”

Sarah James, Executive Producer of Strictly Come Dancing says: “We are all so thrilled that Aljaž is back in the Strictly Ballroom, bringing his incredible choreography and passion for dance. During his nine series he was a firm favourite with viewers across the country, I’m sure everyone is in for a treat as he joins us to entertain the nation for a very special 20th year of the show.”

Graziano Di Prima out of Strictly Come Dancing line-up.

Multiple reports suggest the Strictly pro was “sacked” after claims were made of gross misconduct towards his partner on last year’s series, Zara McDermott.

The Italian dancer had his contract terminated this week after a meeting with Strictly bosses.
A source close to the dancer said that he was “petrified and in a bad place”.

“He is being supported by his wife Giada and they are planning to pack up and move back to Italy,” they told the Media.

The 30-year-old earlier reacted to the claims with a statement on Instagram.
He said: “I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly.
“My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime. Respecting the HR process, I understand it’s best for the show if I step away.
“While there are aspects of this story involving external influences that I can’t discuss at this time, I remain committed to being strong for my family and friends.
“I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future. I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professional and personally. When the time is right, I will share my story.”

The 30-year-old was due to appear on the upcoming series until being contacted by the programme’s executives, who wanted to question him about his behaviour, with one show source saying: “Graziano had to go. It has been awful.”

Di Prima joined the show in 2018 and reached week six with Zara last year after reaching the quarter-final with actor Kym Marsh in 2022.

A BBC spokesperson confirmed that Di Prima was “no longer a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series”.

The Greatest Showman circus show announces London venue, dates and details.

Details and dates have been revealed for the new musical circus show coming to London, inspired by The Greatest Showman.

The circus event is based on the 2017 film which starred Hugh Jackman, Zendaya, Michelle Williams and Zac Efron, with numbers including “This Is Me” and “From Now On”. It has a completely original story by Jenny Bicks, with songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

The film followed the famous P T Barnum, a pioneering circus owner who made it big in the US.

From the mind of creative director Simon Hammerstein, Come Alive! The Greatest Showman will be opening at the Empress Museum in London’s Earls Court (near West Brompton station), beginning performances on 23 September 2024. The age rating for the show is ten plus.

It will be presented inside a dedicated 700-seat big top space, featuring circus performers and musical theatre stars from the West End and beyond. A pre-sale will begin on 17 July, with general sale from 18 July.

Hammerstein is joined on the creative team by music producer and Olivier Award-nominated Matthew Brind (Paddington 2, Just For One Day), lead choreographer Jerry Reeve (The Voice UK, the Queen’s Jubilee Platinum Party at the Palace) and Emmy Award-nominated lighting designer Adam Bassett for Woodroffe Basset Design (London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, Adele – Live).

Murmurings of a direct stage adaptation of the film have been rumbling along for years, especially after the blockbuster’s major box office haul.

Six the Musical cast recordings reach a milestone achievement.

The producers of the WhatsOnStage Award-winning hit musical Six, written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, have announced that the show’s UK and Broadway cast recordings have now been collectively streamed over a billion times.

The UK studio cast recording was released in 2018 and features the vocals of Renée Lamb (as Catherine of Aragon), Christina Modestou (as Anne Boleyn), Natalie Paris (as Jane Seymour), Genesis Lynea (as Anna of Cleves), Aimie Atkinson (as Catherine Howard), and Izuka Hoyle (as Catherine Parr).

It has orchestrations by Tom Curran and is produced by Sam Featherstone, Marlow, Moss and Joe Beighton, with executive producers George Stiles and Paul Lisberg.

The Grammy-nominated Six: Live on Opening Night marked the first time an original Broadway cast recording to ever be recorded live on an opening night. It debuted at number one on the Billboard cast album charts and is produced by Paul Gatehouse, alongside Marlow, Moss, Featherstone, and Curran.

The album features the original Broadway Queens (Adrianna Hicks, Andrea Macasaet, Abby Mueller, Brittney Mack, Samantha Pauly, and Anna Uzele), as well as a bonus track by the original Broadway alternates (Keirsten Nicole Hodgens, Nicole Kyoung-Mi Lambert, Courtney Mack, and Mallory Maedke).

Six the Musical reimagines the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives as pop stars, blending historical heartbreak with modern empowerment in an 80-minute theatrical experience.

On the global stage, Six is celebrating its third year on Broadway at the Lena Horne Theatre, alongside a North American tour and a second Australian tour opening in Melbourne. The musical has also seen performances in South Korea, Las Vegas, Amsterdam, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland and is also scheduled to visit Singapore, the Philippines, and Japan. In the UK, the West End production continues its successful run at the Vaudeville Theatre.

Six has won over 35 major international awards, including the 2022 Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Costume Design. It also secured consecutive WhatsOnStage Awards for Best West End Show in 2022 and 2023, and the 2020 BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical.

It is co-directed by Moss and Jamie Armitage, and features choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille. The design team includes set designer Emma Bailey, costume designer Gabriella Slade, lighting designer Tim Deiling, and sound designer Paul Gatehouse.

The score features orchestrations by Curran, with music supervision and vocal arrangements by Beighton. Musical director Yutong Zhang and associate UK musical supervisor Lauren Hopkinson round out the team. Casting is by Pearson Casting.

Six is produced by Kenny Wax, Wendy and Andy Barnes, and Stiles.

Back to the Future announces new cast and West End extension.

A new cohort of cast members are joining Back to the Future: The Musical.

The critically acclaimed show, which has won multiple awards for Best New Musical, is entering its fourth year. It first opened in London on 13 September 2021, began performances on Broadway on 30 June 2023, while a North American tour launched in Cleveland, Ohio, in June 2024 and will run in cities across the US and Canada until August 2025. The musical also has plans for international productions, starting with Japan in 2025.

The new cast features recent graduate Vasco Emauz as Marty McFly, making his West End debut, Orlando Gibbs as George McFly, CJ Borger as Goldie Wilson and Marvin Berry, Alex Runicles as Biff Tannen, Talia Palamathanan as Jennifer Parker, Ellis Kirk as alternate Marty McFly, and Liam McHugh as Dave McFly. Ensemble members include Kofi Aidoo-Appiah, Billie Bowman, and Gracie Caine.

Continuing cast members include Cory English as Doctor Emmett Brown, Sarah Goggin as Lorraine Baines, Lee Ormsby as Strickland and alternate Doctor Emmett Brown, and Patricia Wilkins as Linda McFly. Ensemble members Ella Beaumont, Sia Dauda, Alexander Day, Helen Gulston, Matthew Ives, Connor Lewis, Adam Margilewski, Bryan Mottram, Anna Murray, Samuel Nicholas, Louis Quinn, Zachkiel Smith, Grace Swaby-Moore, and Alexandra Wright will also return.

The show has also extended its run at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End through to Sunday 27 July 2025. Tickets are now on sale.

The original cast recording, released by Sony Music’s Masterworks Broadway label, is now available and has surpassed 20 million streams.

It features new music by multi-Grammy Award winners Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, alongside classic songs from the movie, including “The Power of Love” and “Johnny B. Goode.”

The show features a book by Bob Gale and is directed by Tony Award-winning director John Rando (Urinetown, On The Town), alongside the multi-Tony and Olivier Award-winning design team of Tim Hatley (set and costume design), Tim Lutkin (lighting), Hugh Vanstone (lighting consultant), Gareth Owen (sound) and Finn Ross (video), with choreography by Chris Bailey, musical supervision and arrangements by Nick Finlow and Illusions by Chris Fisher. Orchestrations are by Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook, with dance arrangements by David Chase. Casting is by David Grindrod for Grindrod Burton Casting.

General News & Sighting

• Equity, the union for performers, has taken legal action against the casting directory Spotlight over the current monthly subscription fee. (Whats On Stage)
• Strictly has announced the celebrity contestants for this years series.
• Dianne Buswell won the Female Personality of the Year at the NRTA Awards.
• The Director General of the BBC has apologised to Strictly contestants who have had a bad experience on the show.
• Aljaz is returning to Strictly as it was confirmed that Giovanni and Grazianno will not be returning for the new series.
• Nikita Kuzmin announced his first ever solo tour called “Midnight Dancer”.
• Amy Dowden began her first day of Strictly rehearsals following her battle with cancer.
• Wayne McGregor has been reappointed Artistic Director of the Venice Biennale’s dance department for 2025/6.
• Leanne Benjamin has left the Queensland Ballet.
• BOP and Dollie Henry will show their “Jazz Conversations” on the 20th and 21st of September at the Place in London.
• The annual Olivier Awards will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on the 6th of April 2025.
• Charm La’Donna has been nominated for a VMA (Video Music Award) for her work on Dua Lipa’s video for “Houdini”.
• Casting has been announced for the UK premiere of “House of Cleopatra”. Emilie Louise Israel will take on the title role. The show has choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento and will run at the Edinburgh Fringe until the 25th of August.
• Lead casting has been revealed for the world premiere of the Steps musical “Here and Now”. The cast will be led by Rebecca Lock and Hiba Elchikhe. The choreography is by Matt Cole and the show is set to run at the Birmingham Alexandra theatre from the 9th of November.
• Casting has been announced for the upcoming UK premiere of “Becoming Nancy”. It will be directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell and will run at the Birmingham Rep from the 2nd of October.
• The world premiere of a new musical called “Stiletto” has been announced. It will be choreographed by Anthony Van Laast and run from the 24th of March until the 25th of June 2025 at the Charing Cross theatre in London.

Future Dance Events News

• 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 full casting has been revealed for “Dear Evan Hanson”. The show has choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille and will open at the Nottingham Playhouse on the 9th of September ahead of a UK tour.
• 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 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 current touring production of “The Wizard of Oz” will return to the West End on the 15th of August at the Gillian Lynne theatre. The cast will be led by Aston Merrygold.
• 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

• 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.
• Todrick is holding auditions for the workshop of his first original full length musical on the 19th & 20th of August in London. For more information contact: workshop@harryblumenau.com
• 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

• Ashley Shaw, Principle dancer with Sir Matt Bourne’s New Adventures dance company, is holding a masterclass on the 19th of August in Bath. For more information email: info@internationalballetintensives.com
• Bethany Kingsley-Garner is giving a Ballet masterclass at Danceworks on the 28th of August from 3.45 – 6.30 pm.
• Christina Andrea is doing a Commercial workshop on the 17th of August at the Pineapple dance studios from 1.30 – 2.30 pm.
• 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
• Gaz Davis and Abbie Brown are doing the Synergy Dance Intensive on the 14th of August at the Base Dance Studios in London from 12.00 – 4.00 pm. You can email to book.
• Tyra Roberts is doing a Commercial Choreography dance class at John Reed Fitness in London every Tuesday at 6.30 pm.
• Keisha Atwell has a Jazz class at the Dance Box Summer Intensive on the 28th of August. You can book at: http://www.thedancebox.co.uk
• 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

• A new trailer has been released for the “Snow White Musical Movie” starring Rachel Zegler. The film is due to be released on the 21st of March 2025.
• Disney has stated that “The Greatest Showman” is being adapted into a full stage musical.
• We spotted dance duo Ekleido (Hannah Ekholm & Faye Stoeser) performing at the Latitude festival. Ekleido has its own show at the Place in London on the 5th of November.
• We spotted the following dancers performing at the Olympics Opening Ceremony in Paris: Erin Blanchfield, Milan Crawford, Paul Winney, Julia McCracken, Amy Gill, Alex Dallimore, Keira Nauta, Lucy Monaghan & Michaela Rondello.
• We spotted Mina Neighbour, Grace Hooper, Claudia Floss & Lashay Harvey dancing with Flo at Lollapalooza. The choreography was by Lisa Spencer and Lianne Lee May and the contract was with AMCK.
• We spotted Devon Young, Aaliyah Sharnell, Carmelle Rudder, Jo Dyce, Ayesha Greed, Zoe Purpuri & Yara Rain performing with Sister Sledge. The choreography was by Royston and Devon Young. The agency was RND Creatives.
• We spotted Zoe Purpuri, Fiona McDonald & Oliver Wheeler dancing with the Pet Shop Boys.
• We spotted Mina Neighbour, Shivawn Joubert, Amira Byrne & Jahmiah Simpson in the Converse campaign for JD Sports. The contract was with AMCK.
• We spotted Amy-May Trudgeon in the new adverts for the Samsung Galaxy Book 4.
• We spotted Emily Haygarth in the recent advert for Jagermeister.
• We spotted Jenny Strandberg performing at the Amsterdam Pride.

Pro Dancer News Published by the Dincwear Pro Dancewear Team.

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