All the latest news from Dincwear Pro Dancewear.
Our Pro Dancer News The Christmas Break Edition.
Elizabeth Honer named Royal Academy of Dance chief executive.
The Royal Academy of Dance has named Elizabeth Honer its new chief executive.
Honer will take up the position from January 21, succeeding Tim Arthur, who stood down at the end of 2024.
Formerly a member of the RAD’s finance committee, Honer has also been chief executive of a Treasury commercial agency as well as a director at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Her roles in the charity sector include trusteeships at the Vision Foundation and the Dartington International Summer School Foundation following early-career fundraising for the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
Her appointment to the RAD follows her receipt of a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 2024 King’s birthday honours, and sees her head up an organisation at which she still takes dance classes.
She has also supported the Acosta Dance Centre and been a member of the London Ballet Circle.
Honer said she was “thrilled” by her appointment, adding: “The RAD is dear to my heart, having taken RAD exams as a child and continuing to participate to this day.
“The RAD has an exciting future ahead and I look forward to leading the organisation’s new strategy and building on our incredible history.”
Read more: The Stage.
KAI WIDDRINGTON – EVOLUTION.
Strictly Come Dancing star Kai Widdrington is set to dazzle audiences across the UK & Ireland with his thrilling new 2025 dance tour Kai – Evolution.
Following his stunning performances on the hit BBC show, Kai is now set to bring his exceptional talent and charismatic stage presence to theatres nationwide with his inaugural solo dance tour.
Kai – Evolution promises to take audience members on a mesmerising journey through an array of dance genres, showcasing Kai’s versatility and passion for dance.
The tour will feature breathtaking choreography, stunning visuals, and an incredible cast of dancers. Audiences will be able to enjoy a mix of classic Ballroom, Latin, and innovative dance routines that showcase Kai’s extraordinary skill and creativity.
Speaking about his delight at taking his brand-new show around the UK and Ireland, Kai said: “I’m thrilled to bring this show to life and share my love for dance with fans. It has always been a dream of mine to do a nationwide solo tour and I can’t wait to make it a reality. This show will be a celebration of my love for all things music and dance, and I am extremely excited to get to share this experience with everyone, both in the UK and Ireland.”Tour Commences 14th May 2025
Book Tickets
Giovanni – The Last Dance.
Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice returns in 2025 with his tour ‘The Last Dance’.
The 2021 Strictly champion and BAFTA winner will be taking to the stage once again with his company of world class performers.
Giovanni, the Italian maestro of dance, takes centre stage in ‘The Last Dance’, a mesmerising production that transcends the boundaries of live performance.
With a career rooted in passion, dedication, and unparalleled artistry, Giovanni has become a household name, captivating audiences worldwide with his electrifying performances and unmatched charisma.
Don’t miss Giovanni’s ‘Last Dance’ on tour in 2025.
General News & Sighting
- Melissa Hamilton was promoted to Principle dancer at The Royal Ballet.
- Marianela Nunez was made an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List.
- The Royal Academy of Dance has appointed Elizabeth Honer as its new Chief Executive.
- Strictly’s first drag artist, Tayce, and pro dancer Kai won the Christmas Special.
- Former Strictly star Giovanni Pernice won the Italian version of the show with his celebrity partner Bianca.
- “Clueless” has announced the full West End cast for its opening at the Trafalgar Theatre on the 15th of February. Cher will be played by Emma Flynn with cover by Sophie Elmes. The choreography is by Kelly Devine.
- Birmingham Royal Ballet Chief Executive Caroline Miller passed away after a long illness.
Future Dance Events News
- “Scissorhandz: A Musical Reinvented” will have its European premiere at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant on the 23rd of January 2025. The choreography is by Alexzandra Sarmiento.
- “Hercules” will open at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on the 6th of June 2025. It will star Luke Brady and have choreography by Casey Nicholaw and Tanisha Scott.
- “The Great Gatsby” will open in the West End at the London Coliseum on the 11th of April 2025. It has choreography by Dominique Kelley.
- 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.
- “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.
- 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.
- A stage musical based on Prince’s film and album “Purple Rain” is in the works with producer Orin Wolf.
- “Some Like It Hot” is coming to the West End in 2025. It will be directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw.
Auditions & Vacancies
- Adrian Gas is looking for tall male dancers (6ft minimum) for an event on the 1st of March. Contact: casting@adriangas.com
- Briony Albert has an audition for male dancers at the Dance Attic studios from 10.00 am – 12.00 pm on the 15th of January. Contact Brionyalbert@hotmail.com
- Ruth Forbes is looking for dancers for the Glyndebourne Festival Opera. Contact ruthforbes@glyndebourne.com
- P&O Cruises (Headliners Theatre Co) have auditions on the 21st of January at Danceworks in London. Registration is at 9.00 am.
- Graeme Pickering has an audition for Celebrity Cruises at the Pineapple Dance Studios on the 15th of January at 9.15 am.
- Lord Andrew Lloyd Weber is holding an audition to find Ballet dancers for his “Phantom of the Opera”. You can apply on: phantomcasting@camack.co.uk. The deadline is the 17th of January.
- Royal Caribbean has an audition for dancers in Manchester on the 17th of January. Visit: royalcaribbeanproductions.com
- Celebrity Cruises have an audition for male tap dancers on the 15th of January at the Pineapple Dance Studios. Registration is at 9.15 am. Full details at: celebritycruisesentertainment.com/audition-live
- Briony Albert has an audition for male dancers on the 15th of January at the Dance Attic from 10.00 am – 12.00 pm. Email: brionyalbert@hotmail.com
- Ashleigh Montador Dance Company is looking for a dancer / acro gymnast teacher. Contact Ashleigh to apply.
Dance Classes
- Esme Bowler has a Mamma Mia workshop on the 22nd of February from 2.00 – 5.00 pm at the Park Community School in Havant.
- Amy Ireland has a Beginners Tap class at Pineapple Dance Studios on Fridays from 10.00 am – 12.00pm.
- Christina Andrea has Commercial classes at Pineapple on Tuesdays from 5.00 – 6.00 pm and on Wednesdays from 7.30 – 8.30 pm. Christina also has a class at Base Studios on Thursdays from 2.30 – 4.00 pm.
- Jenny Finney has a Dance and Fitness workshop on the 26th of January in Mansfield from 11.00 am – 12.30 pm in support of women and children in war zones.
- Jordi Guitart has a class at Move It on the 8th of March.
- Josie Lee has an advanced level Choreography class at Base Studios from 4.00 – 5.30 pm on the 18th of January.
- Josie Lee has an Intensive training day at the Base studios on the 17th of February from 12.00 – 5.00 pm.
- Sir Matt Bourne’s New Adventures Company have a masterclass on the 18th of January from 10.30 am – 5.30 pm at Sadlers Wells. You can book via the company webpage.
- Hannah Levitt Collins and Crystal Hantig have a Heels class on the 23rd of January at the Manor in London.
- Briony Albert has a Commercial class on Friday at the Base Studios from 2.30 – 3.55 pm.
Film & TV
- “Wicked” is now available on Amazon Prime. It has officially become the highest grossing film version of a stage production with global sales of $634m. Last week it won the Golden Globe for “Cinematic and Box Office Achievement”.
- We spotted the following dancers in the new Robbie William’s film: Katie Collins, Chanelle George, Jenny Griffin, Hannah Levitt Collins, Lianne Lee, Beth Willetts, Chris Tendai, Jo Dyce, Majella Fitzgerald & Shaun Niles.
- We spotted the following dancers in the new advert for Body Butter: Louise Eagles, Majella Fitzgerald, Crystal Hantig, Nicole Alphonce, Oluwatosin, Hannah Levitt Collins, Erin Nurse, Stevie Mahoney, Hannah Veerapen, Zara Patience & Zoe Purpuri.
- We spotted Sasha Fleet performing at the NFT Awards in Malta.
- We spotted Olivia Beckford in the latest North Face advert. The contract was with AMCK.
- We spotted the following dancers at the Honourable Artillary Company Christmas Ball: Rachel Muldoon, Lee Bridgman, Jo Dyce, Craig Stein, Stevie Mahoney & Luke Field Wright. The choreography was by Adam Murray.
- We spotted Chrissy Brooke in the new video for Above and Beyond.
- We spotted Nikki Trow in the latest advert for Go Compare.
- We spotted Kim Collicutt in “SAS Rogue Heroe’s”.
- We spotted Grace Hooper in the new series of “The Masked Dancer”.
Pro Dancer News Published by the Dincwear Pro Dancewear Team.
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