Craig Revel Horwood

Pro Dance News – Edition 19-10-24

All the latest news from Dincwear Pro Dancewear.

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

The Phantom of the Opera announces global search for next Christine.

The Phantom of the Opera

Here’s how you can apply!

A global virtual open call has been announced for the role of Christine Daaé in the London production of The Phantom of the Opera.

Producers are searching for performers aged 18 to mid-20s, with a lyric soprano voice. The vocal range required spans from G below middle C to high E.

To audition, candidates are asked to submit a video of themselves singing a cut of “Think of Me” from the musical, using a sheet music and track provided on the show website (you can also consult taping instructions on the site). Videos should be recorded from the waist up, against a plain background with minimal background noise. No additional material is required. Submissions must be sent via a non-expiring link through the official form, ensuring that the video can be downloaded and viewed without permission requests.

All tapes must be submitted by 13 December 2024, with successful applicants contacted by 31 December. Only tapes for the role of Christine will be reviewed, and any queries should be directed to phantomcasting@camack.co.uk (please note, the show has said that audition tapes will not be accepted via email). Applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

The music for the production is composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Charles Hart and additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. The book for the musical is written by Stilgoe and Lloyd Webber, and it is based on the novel Le Fantôme de l’Opera by Gaston Leroux. The orchestrations for the music are by David Cullen and Lloyd Webber, while the musical supervision is handled by Simon Lee.

The production design for the show is created by Maria Björnson, with set design adapted by Matt Kinley and associate costume design by Jill Parker. Lighting for the show is designed by Andrew Bridge with associate lighting design by Warren Letton, and the sound design is by Mick Potter. The musical staging and choreography for the show was handled by Gillian Lynne, recreated and adapted by Chrissie Cartwright.

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Giovanni Pernice says he’s given ‘strength he needs’ after brief UK return to reunite with Strictly Come Dancing stars.

     GiovanniPernice

Giovanni Pernice has said he is ‘given the strength he needs’ from the support of his fans as he made a quick trip back to the UK where he reunited with a couple of Strictly Come Dancing stars.

The 34-year-old spent several years as a professional dancer on the hit BBC One dance contest. However, earlier this year, an investigation was launched by the BBC following allegations made about the dancer by former Strictly participant Amanda Abbington, with the results being made public.

Subsequently, Giovanni wasn’t named in Strictly’s professional line-up for 2024 and has since revealed he’s joining the Italian “equivalent of Dancing With The Stars”, Ballando con le Stelle, following his departure from the UK’s popular dance contest.

Giovanni and his dance partner, actress Bianca Guaccero, wowed during their debut and ‘won’ the first show of the series after being awarded a whopping 37 out of a possible 40 points.

Following his return to the dancefloor, Giovanni was seen leaving Rome and heading back to the UK where he was reunited with Strictly judges Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood who joined him at his latest dance classes put on by his company Ballando, which sees him hosting dance classes for anyone from beginners to the more experienced.

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood says ‘there is a difference’ after scandal report.

Craig Revel Horwood

Craig Revel Horwood has told how things have changed since the release of the BBC’s report into the Strictly Come Dancing scandal which saw the hit dance show rocked by misconduct claims.

Amanda Abbington and other stars complained about Giovanni Pernice’s teaching methods. This week, the BBC said that it has taken the claims “very seriously” and that it had “upheld some, but not all” of Amanda’s complaints and issued her an apology.

In a statement, the broadcaster said: “We have assessed the complaints and we have upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made. We want to apologise to Amanda Abbington and to thank her for coming forward and taking part. We know this would not have been an easy thing to do.”

Craig has now been asked about the release of the BBC’s report during an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine on Friday (October 4) ahead of the BBC One dance contest’s return to screens on Saturday night (October 5).

The show judge admitted there was a different feeling among the Strictly camp since the results were report published. Asked by host Christine Lampard if the feeling behind the scenes has changes, he said: “Yes, there is a difference.

“It’s like a weight has been lifted off our shoulders because it was always hanging in the air so I was just so pleased that this investigation is over because now we can move on and really celebrate our 20 years on the screen.

Craig added: “Because it is a wonderful, wonderful show and it’s just awful when something like this comes along. And of course, the BBC have put loads of things in place you know like chaperones which we’ve had in the theatre for years actually. I think it’s a really good thing.

“It [the investigation] brought to light a really good thing that there should be someone in there (the rehearsal rooms) taking note. I think that’s great. So let’s move forward, let’s move on, let’s celebrate Strictly for all the good it has done in the last 20 years.”

And looking back at the last twenty years, Craig told Christine how he first thought the programme “wouldn’t have legs”. He shared: “When we first started back in May of 2004, I thought it wouldn’t have legs at all and thought, ‘who is going to be interested in seeing a bunch of celebrities that can’t dance, try and dance in two weeks? No one!’ But actually I was completely wrong.”

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Natasha Kaplinsky announced as Chair of The Royal Ballet School.

Natasha Kaplinsky

The Royal Ballet School has appointed Natasha Kaplinsky OBE as its new Chair, effective from 1 October 2024. Kaplinsky is the third high-level appointment in a year in which The Royal Ballet School has seen the departures of its Artistic Director & CEO, and Chairman. Previous Chairman Christopher Rodrigues CBE stepped down earlier this year.

The broadcaster and journalist Natasha Kaplinsky OBE will take up the post of Chair of The Royal Ballet School on 1 October 2024.

Kaplinsky will replace Anna Birkett, who has held the position of Interim Chairman since January of this year. Previously the position was held by Christopher Rodrigues CBE.

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General News & Sighting

  • Drew McOnie won the award for Best Director at the UK Theatre Awards for his work on “The Artist”. The Achievement in Dance Award went to the Aakash Odedra Company and the Aditi Mangaldas Company for their work “Mehek”.
  • Karen and Paul Merson were eliminated from Strictly this week. The Pro dance was choreographed by Oti Mabuse.
  • Janette & Aljaz announced their “A Night To Remember” tour. It will open at Bath in May 2025.
  • Anton Du Beke has published his new novel called “A Dance For The King”. It is available on Amazon.
  • Autumn Miller won the Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the Dance Industry Awards in America.
  • The Turbine theatre in London is to close.
  • The Whats On Stage Awards will take place at the London Palladium on the 9th of February 2025.
  • Complete casting has been confirmed for the new production of “Kinky Boots” which will launch at the Curve theatre in Leicester on the 17th of January 2025. The show will star Johannes Radebe, Charlie Price and Courtney Bowman. It has choreography by Leah Hill and Johnny Bishop.
  • The musical “Wild Rose” announced that it will star Dawn Sievewright and have choreography by Steven Hoggett. The show will run from the 6th of March until the 5th of April 2025.
  • “Bat Out Of Hell” has announced the complete cast for its new UK tour. It will star Katie Tonkinson and Glenn Adamson and have choreography by Xena Gusthart. The show opens in Edinburgh on the 6th of January 2025.

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Future Dance Events News

  • “Titanique” has announced the complete cast for its West End run. It will star Darren Bennett and Lauren Drew and have choreography by Ellenore Scott. The show opens at the Criterion theatre in London on the 9th of December.
  • Lead casting has been announced for the UK premiere of “Muriel’s Wedding The Musical”. It will star Megan Ellis and Annabel Marlow. The choreography is by Andrew Hallsworth. The show will run from the 10th of April until the 10th of May 2025 at the Curve theatre in Leicester.
  • The full cast has been announced for Sondheim’s final musical “Here We are”. It will star Tracie Bennett and Denis O’ Hare and have choreography by Sam Pinkleton. The show will run at the National Theatre in April 2025.
  • “Twiggy The Musical” will open in Cheltenham from the 4th of September until the 12th of September 2025 ahead of a UK tour.
  • “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 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.
  • “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.
  • “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.

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Auditions & Vacancies

  • Artistic Talent Agency is looking for female dancers in Nottingham for a regular weekly gig. Contact: info@artistictalentagency.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.

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Dance Classes

  • Bethany Kingsley-Garner has an Artistry and Musicality class on the 26th of October at Pineapple Studios in London from 2.00 – 4.00 pm.
  • Dollie Henry and her BOP have a Jazz Intensive from the 29th – 31st of October at Morley College in London. Visit the BOP website to book.
  • Chris Marney and Kate Lyons have a weekly Open Ballet class on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11.00 am – 12.30 pm at London City Ballet.
  • Gaz Davis and Josie Lee have a Christmas Intensive at Base Studios in London on the 30th of December from 12.00 – 4.00 pm. Email to book.
  • Christin Olesen has a Street Jazz class on the 23rd of October at 7.00 pm at the Manor in London.
  • Tyler Lotzof has a Jazz class on the 25th of October at 1.00 pm at the Manor in London.
  • Kira Malou, the star of the recent West End hit “Dirty Dancing”, is doing a Dirty Dancing workshop on the 3rd of November at the Point in Eastleigh. To book contact Kira at: kiramalou.info@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.
  • Serena McCall is doing a Contemporary Fusion workshop in Krakow, Poland, on the 7th & 8th of December.
  • 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.

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Film & TV

  • Sky Arts has announced 3 festive dance programmes. First, “The Story of Panto” will run on the 16th of December. Second, Sky Arts has gone backstage with the English National Ballet for the companys production of the “Nutcracker” – including a full performance of the show. Third, Sir Matt Bourne’s “Edward Scissorhands” will be broadcast over the Christmas period.
  • We spotted Olly Reynolds, Oliver Wheeler and Charlie Tatman in “Rivals” on Disney Plus. The choreography was by Jerry Reeve and the agency was Kutes.
  • We spotted Sammi Lee Jayne and Demi Rox performing with Dua Lipa on her tour in America.
  • We spotted Ruby Hood. Rose Gillett, Emma Nielsen, Chloe Simons & Paige Lilley dancing in the new music video for Perrie Edwards. The choreography was by Christin Olesen.
  • We spotted Anders Nielsen in the new movie “Apartment 7A”. The choreography was by Ashley Wallen and Lukas McFarlane and the agency was Kutes.
  • We spotted Abbie Brown and Mollie Goddard performing at Wembley Arena for the 9th annual HUM Awards.
  • We spotted Josie Pocock performing with Seal at the Stade de France in Paris.
  • We spotted Hannah Sutton and Ariana Rosado dancing with Motley Crue in LA.

Pro Dancer News Published by the Dincwear Pro Dancewear Team.

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