As the dance world hopefully gets back to its feet, we are going to put out a weekly summary of what we have seen on social media that may be of interest to pro dancers. Welcome to the first edition of : Pro Dancer News.
General Sightings
1/ We have seen the restart of both “Six – The Musical” and “Jamie Musical” in London’s West End to sold out socially distanced audiences. (Look out for Emily Kenwright dancing in “Jamie”).
2/ Several pro dancers were spotted performing with Dua Lipa at the Los 40 Awards. Robyn Rae Laud, Alex Clarke, Lorenzo Posocco & Rae Hayden – the contract was through AMCK Dance Agency.
3/ “A Night At The Museum” starring Gary Barlow for ITV featured several pro dancers – Lisa Spencer, Channelle George, Haley Monaghan, Kelechi Nwanokwu, Ashley Labadie, Joy Duckrell & Sharia Ashley. The contract was with Jerry Reeve’s Kutes Dance Agency and it was choreographed by Lisa Spencer with Assistant Choreographer Lianne Lee May.
4/ On Strictly it was the turn of Ranvir to leave the competition. It is fairly clear that Hrvy and Maisie are the best remaining dancers, although it would be great to see Bill Bailey win it! The Final is next weekend.
The Hip-Hop routine of Maisie and Gorka was choreographed by Lizzie Gough and Tommy Franzen and choreographer Jenny Thomas worked with Bill and Oti.
5/ Nadiya Bychkova won the annual Strictly Pro Challenge.
6/ We spotted several pro dancers working on The Royal Variety Show, including Chrissy Brooke performing with Brian Connolly and Channelle George with Melanie C. It would be great if the Show would actually credit the pro dancers working on it.
7/ The Royal Ballet opened “The Nutcracker” at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, operating within the present Covid restrictions.
Future Dance Announcements
1/ Kevin Clifton announced that he will be touring next year with “Strictly Ballroom”.
2/ Sir Matt Bourne announced that his brilliant “The Car Man” will be staged next Summer at the Royal Albert Hall and that his “Nutcracker” will be back at Sadlers Wells for Christmas 2021.
3/ The “Love Train” Virtual Disco Ball has its world wide Premiere in Leeds on December 18th.
4/ It was announced that Break Dancing would be included as a sport at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Funding
Roisin Whelan received an Arts Council of Ireland grant to fund a new dance work in 2021. (Well done!).
Castings
Castings for the UK Tour of “Bedknobs & Broomsticks” will begin in early January with Final Auditions being held in Mid February with Jill Green Casting (contact: Jo Hawes).
Appointments
1/ Amanda Skoog is the new Chair of the Board of Trustees of One Dance UK.
2/ Dane Hurst was appointed as the new Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance in Leeds.
Awards
1/ Northern Ballet won the Dance Award for its production of “Victoria” at the South Bank Sky Awards.
2/ Maia Makhateli was named “Dancer Of The Year” by British Dance Europe magazine. Maia, who was born in Georgia, performs with the Dutch National Ballet.
Videos & Films
1/ Chrissy Brooke and Jaih Betote star in the new video for Jonathan Antoine: “These Are The Special Times”. The video was choreographed by Myron Birch who was assisted by Jeannette Gonzalez. (we are also pretty sure that we spotted Chrissy and Jaih in a TV advert for beds – but this remains unconfirmed!)
2/ Anjali Mehra released: “Little Grasses Crack Through Stone” which was inspired by a poem from Sylvia Plath. The film stars Cordelia Braithwaite, Charlotte Broom and Estela Merlos. It is free to view on YouTube and was commissioned by Sir Matt Bourne’s New Adventures Company.
