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In Tiverton’s
New Hall, military precision could not have bettered the slickness which
characterised recent performances celebrating the end of the school year for
the Willow Tree Centre of Dance and Performing Arts.
As a feat of sheer organisation, before considering the
artistic content, Irene Holland’s annual showcase, is an extraordinary
achievement.
Over 200 children, young people and adults took part in a
cornucopia of jazz dance, ballet, tap, modern dance, song and musical
theatre. Show stopper followed showstopper, each with a new set of vibrant
costumes and a whacky sound track...sometimes recorded tracks were
supplanted by live piano...I saw the excellent pianist, not very old
herself, step down from the stage to play for the next number. Irene uses
every possible resource.
There were some magically dreamy moments offset by some wild and
ferocious ones while the very young performers stole the early part of the
evening as they might...in Fairy Cakes and French Fancies the
babes circled the stage, some desperately hanging on to their tutu’s as the
frills slipped floorwards.
The opening number, Rhythm of Life, was a cracker...it could
not have been sung with more clarity, enthusiasm and charm. I thought the
kids would burst with pride and joy as they sang. The same can be said of
the Hairspray musical theatre medley which began the second half with
equal colour and gusto. |
I loved the opening bars of a tap
number in which waitresses armed with a notepad, tapped their toes while
taking orders. I noted Martha Dinsdale’s talent in the modern dance I Eat
Cannibals and Megan Cooke’s fine singing voice and charming personality
in the Mary Poppins song, Feed the Birds.
Big Girls, a boys’ jazz number, had 5 young
talented chaps knocking about in white suits, while Flo Mackay in a deep red
tutu and mask impressed with a fiery solo of mixed dance styles unexpectedly
called Doves. A poem about a teacher - or was it an alien - was
spoken with excellent comic timing by Conner Van Bussel. As an all round
performer, he caught my eye throughout the evening.
Thriller,
the Michael Jackson classic, was indeed a thrilling choreographic and
skilful tap display. In Scare, the upper junior contemporary dancers
wearing effective UV ribbons and laces writhed and wriggled creating a
creepy and feline atmosphere; the senior musical theatre group seemed to be
having so much fun and consequently gave a stunning performance with the
song - Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now.
In an evening of delights, I should mention Mollie Shearman,
Abi Browning, Lauren Bridgeman, Sarah Jepps and Lucy Flatters as being
highly gifted students who contributed greatly to the evening’s
entertainment. I could go on, but lack of newspaper space will prevail.
Suffice to say, that judging by this annual showcase, the Willow Tree Centre
is successfully offering a wide range of training in the performing arts of
which Tiverton has a right and a duty to be very very proud. |
