All the latest news from Dincwear Pro Dancewear.

3 Weeks To 16/6/25

 

Strictly co-host Tess Daly made MBE for services to broadcasting.

TV presenter Tess Daly shed tears when she opened the letter telling her she was to be made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to broadcasting.

The 56-year-old has been recognised, with her Strictly Come Dancing co-host Claudia Winkleman also becoming an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.

She told the Media: “This genuinely came as the greatest surprise of my life. I don’t think I’ve come back down to earth yet, I didn’t see it coming, and it almost didn’t happen, because the letter went to the wrong address.

“And thank goodness, someone very kind found me. And so by the time I got it, I only had, I think it was two or three days left to accept it. There’s a deadline of acceptance. I can’t imagine not ever wanting to accept such a wonderful award. But of course I did.

“But yes, it was cutting it fine, because it went to the wrong address first of all, but it ended well.”

BBC Strictly Come Dancing ‘signs up’ Gladiators star.

   

Gladiators’ Nitro, also known as Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, is set to join the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing. The 36-year-old has previously graced the BBC show’s dance floor.

In the 2024 Christmas special, he partnered with professional dancer Nancy Xu, 33, and their performance earned them one of the highest scores of the night—an impressive 37 points for their Street/Commercial routine.

The former Olympic sprinter caught the attention of the show’s bosses, who are keen to have him on board for a full season of the popular dance competition, now in its 23rd year. It’s hoped that he can juggle his commitments with Gladiators, which typically films over the summer months.

Strictly usually kicks off in August, but contestants are confirmed weeks prior and start training immediately to build their confidence before the live shows commence.

Dance centres backed by Matthew Bourne have funding confirmed for another year.

Funding for 10 dance centres across England has been confirmed for another year, following campaigning by the likes of Alistair Spalding and Matthew Bourne.

The National Centres for Advanced Training in Dance, present in cities including Birmingham, Newcastle, and Nottingham, will receive core funding to cover student bursaries for another 12 months.

The funding had been championed ahead of the government’s spending review by top choreographers and dance sector leaders.

Figures including Arlene Phillips and Anthony Van Laast had previously called upon the Department for Education to safeguard funding, after a £300,000 grant for outreach work was cut in December 2024.

There were fears the 10 National Dance CATs were at risk following the cut. While the outreach funding has not be reinstated, the core funding means student bursaries can be offered for 2025/26.

The National Dance CATS, as the scheme is also known, celebrated its 20th anniversary last year.

It trains approximately 900 students each year, with 68% of those training in the 2023/24 academic year receiving bursaries.

But despite relief that funding for student bursaries would continue for 2025/26, concerns persist about the future of the dance centres, without a guarantee of its long-term future.

The pre-vocational training is available for dancers aged 10-18 and is offered alongside mainstream education.

Bourne had called the national network of dance centres “the envy of international dance companies around the globe”, and said that without support for its work we faced “a world in which there can be no more Billy – or Betty – Elliots”.

Spalding, artistic director and chief executive of Sadler’s Wells, previously said: “The small investment required to fund this programme annually has a substantial impact in terms of the opportunities it provides to young people and the economic return.

“The future artistic director of Sadler’s Wells is very likely among the current cohort.”

Alumni from the scheme have gone on to perform with high-profile professional dance companies including Akram Khan Dance Company, Northern Ballet, and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures.

General News & Sighting

• In the Chancellor’s Spending Review, Rachel Reeves asked the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to make savings of 5%.
• The collapse of the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television appears to have left debts totalling more than £2 million, an interim liquidator’s report reveals.
• Tiffany Theatre College is attempting to raise £200,000 to stay in business.
• Alex Beard received a Knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours List for Services to the Arts and Dance. An MBE was awarded to Lee Fisher, Sonia Sabri and Wayne Parmel.
• The winners of this years National Dance Awards were announced. Dame Siobhan Davies won the De Valois Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance. Tommy Franzen shared the award for Best Male Dancer with Aakash Odedra and Erina Takahashi of the English National Ballet won the award for Best Female Dancer. The Best Choreography Award went to Kyle Abraham for “Love Letter” and Ekleido’s “Splice” won the award for Best Short Dance Film.
• Sir Matt Bourne received the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of his outstanding achievements in dance.
• Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has announced a “Dance Takeover” for the 20th of July. The day will include pro workshops with the Rambert, Ballet Black, McOnie Company, Deaf Men Dancing, London City Ballet, Arthur Pita and Boy Blue.
• The Greenwich & Docklands International Festival will return this summer from the 22nd of August until the 6th of September, marking its 30th anniversary with a programme of free outdoor theatre, circus and dance.
• West End Live will take place this year on the 21st and 22nd of June at Trafalgar Square in London.
• Regent’s Park Open Air theatre will present “Brigadoon” from the 2nd of August until the 20th of September. The show is directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie and stars Danielle Fiamanya and Chrissy Brooke.
• Full casting has been revealed for “Top Hat” at the Chichester Festival. The show will be directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall and will run from the 14th of July until the 6th of September.
• Complete casting has been announced for the musical adaptation of “Starter For Ten”. The show will open at the Bristol Old Vic from the 10th of September before transferring to Birmingham. It has choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento.
• Casting has been announced for the upcoming musical “Footballers’ Wives”. It will star Ceili O’ Connor and Tom Bowen. The show has choreography by Arlene Phillips and Richard Roe and will play at the Edinburgh Fringe from the 30th of July until the 24th of August.
• “Britain’s Got Talent” winner Sydnie Christmas is set to appear in the London transfer of “101 Dalmations The Musical”. The show has choreography by Lucy Hind and will open at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith on the 18th of July.
• “Burlesque” has revealed the full cast for its West End transfer. It has choreography by Todrick Hall and Jenni Thomasson, with Aaron Renfree as resident choreographer. India Thornton is the dance captain. The show will open at the Savoy Theatre on the 10th of July.
• Strictly winner Ore Oduba will take on the role of Dr Frankenstein in “Frankenstein The Musical” with Rhiannon Chesterton starring as Elizabeth Benning. The show will be directed and have choreography by Nick Winston and open at the Hope Mill theatre in Manchester on the 10th of October.

Future Dance Events News

• “Mean Girls The Musical” will open on tour in Manchester on the 23rd of February 2026. The show has choreography by Casey Nicholaw.
• The cast for the new Steps musical “Here and Now” has been announced. It has choreography by Matt Cole and will tour the UK from August until May 2026.
• A musical version of “10 Things I Hate About You” is officially in the works. It will have choreography by Christopher Wheeldon.
• “Burlesque” will play in the West End this summer. It will open at the Savoy Theatre on the 10th of July.
• The National Theatre’s “Ballet Shoes” will return over Christmas. The choreography is by Ellen Kane.
• “Prescilla Queen of the Desert” will embark on an International tour from February 2026, opening at the Palace Theatre in Manchester. The choreography is by Matt Cole.
• “Young Frankenstein” will receive its regional premiere at the Hope Mill theatre in Manchester from the 10th of October until the 30th of November. It will be directed and choreographed by Nick Winston.
• The world premiere of the new musical “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” will be staged in Bath in the Spring of 2025.
• “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

• Royal Caribbean is auditioning for its production of “Hairspray” in London from the 17th to the 20th of June. For more details visit: royalcaribbeanproductions.com
• Thursford has the auditions for its Christmas Spectacular on the 23rd & 24th of June at Pineapple Studios in London. Contact the company for further details.
• Underwraps Event Choreography has an audition for dancers wanting to work at the Global Village in Dubai at Dance Attic in London on the 29th of June at 10.00 am. Contact the company for more details.
• Megan Rolinson at D2 Studios is looking for a Contemporary dance teacher. Contact: d2studios.enquiries@gmail.com
• New English Ballet Theatre has an audition on the 2nd of July at the Royal Opera House in London. It is by invitation only. You can apply to: audition@nebt.co.uk

Dance Classes

• Lizzie McConachie has a commercial class at Pineapple Studios on Mondays at 7.30 pm.
• Karen Hauer and Rose Wild have “a women’s day of yoga, dance and soul work” on the 28th of June at the Inner Landing in London.
• Dollie Henry has her weekly BOP Jazz class every Friday from 12.30 – 3.30 pm. Sign up at: info@bop.org.uk
• Josie Lee has an Intensive training day on the 29th of August at the Base Dance Studios from 12.00 – 5.00 pm. You can DM Josie to book.
• The Lukas McFarlane Intensive will take place from the 16th of September until the 25th of September. For more information visit: Lukas McFarlane | Choreographer & Creative
• Kira Malou, star of “Dirty Dancing” in the West End, has an adult ballet class at St Marks School in Southampton on Mondays from 8.15 – 9.15 pm. You can direct message Kira on her Instagram account to book.
• Gaz Davis is running his annual “The Programme” on the 4th, 5th & 6th of August. You can apply via Gaz’s Instagram account.
• Laura Jane Fenney has a Jazz class at Pineapple every Saturday at 6.00 pm.
• Cora Jay has new dance classes at Dance City in Newcastle on Mondays and Thursdays. You can contact Cora on her Instagram account.
• The TGS Summer Intensive will take place this year from the 28th of July until the 1st of August.
• Wallis Pipe has a Heels class at Pineapple on Mondays from 7.00 – 8.00 pm.
• Natalie Twist has a Sexy R n B class at Pineapple every Wednesday from 8.00 – 9.00 pm.
• Jenny Thomas is holding 2 workshops (Charleston and Salsa) at the Berkshire Ballroom on the 9th of July. You can book places via: http://www.berkshireballroom.co.uk
• David Anderson is teaching at the Base Dance Studios on Tuesdays from 5.30 – 6.55 pm.
• Lucy Jane Adcock is doing regular classes at the Manor in London at 11.00 am on Wednesdays and at the Base Studios on Sundays at 11.30 am.
• 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.

Film & TV

• The first trailer for the second “Wicked” film has been aired. The film will open on the 21st of November.
• We spotted the following dancers at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Monte Carlo: Crystal Hantig, Jo Dyce, Louise Eagles, Danny Coburn and Mason Boyce.
• We spotted choreographer Stephanie Powell Baxter at the L.A premiere of “The Life of Chuck”. Stephanie was the assistant choreographer on the Tom Whiddleston film.
• We spotted the following dancers performing with Kylie Minogue in London: Jenny Griffin, Yves Cueni, Theo Maddix, Ainsley Ricketts and Chase Vollenweider. The choreography was by Ashley Wallen and the agency was Kutes.
• We spotted Abigail Chown, Jaya Villiers, Grace Hooper, Liv Hughes and Elliot Richardson performing with Samantha Mumba at the Mighty Hoopla. The choreography was by Ben Davies.
• We spotted Danielle Barton performing at the Mighty Hoopla.
• We spotted Olivia Beckford in Robbie William’s new video for “Rocket”.
• We spotted Hannah Rowe Sandilands on “The Voice”. The choreography was by Ashley Wallen and Lukas McFarlane and the agency was Kutes.
• We just spotted Ruby Hood performing with JLS at Capital’s Summertime Ball.

Pro Dancer News Published by the Dincwear Pro Dancewear Team.

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