Millennium
Celebration Performance 2000
 |
Presented
by the Classical Greek Dance Association Faculty on Sunday 16th July
at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London. |
What a Day! What a performance! And how exhilarating to see Classical
Greek Dance striding into the new Millennium with such vigour, courage
and professionalism.
The whole programme
was rich in content and variety, showing the vast depth of Classical
Greek Dance. It was a delight to have our South African colleagues and
dancers join us with their stirring choreography 'The Rain Queen'. We
were also pleased to welcome pupils from the Royal Ballet School at White
Lodge, boys and girls, who have weekly Greek Dance classes with Penny
Rowley, and would like to thank them for their valuable and enjoyable
contribution. Many of the other items had been winners at the CGD Festival
'99 and All England '99. The standard of performance and costume was
excellent throughout the programme.
The 'Icing on the
cake' was 'Artemis', a new Greek Ballet specially choreographed by Cynthia
Carr, with the assistance of Karen Collings, to music by Poulenc. The
dancers had been auditioned at the beginning of the year, and the company
had completed a short UK tour before the final performance at the Bloomsbury
Theatre. It was great to see the masculine side of Greek Dance combining
with the many other aspects of the technique, all helping to make this
a very memorable occasion. The rousing finalé, with all the performers
appearing on and around the stage, was a fitting end to a most inspiring
day. The success of which owes much to Cynthia Carr for her enthusiasm,
drive and far-seeing outlook, to Karen Collings, Kay Ball and backstage
crew, and our Chairman Sonia Bond and Committee who all played their
part.
Our grateful thanks
go to the staff at the Bloomsbury Theatre who were so helpful and welcoming
and to the very large audience of distinguished guests and visitors who
supported us so enthusiastically.
Jennifer Schena
 |
'Atemis'
taken during rehersals.
Photographs by Sonia Bond |
Quotes from
some of our audience.........
"I thought
the standard of dancing and the ideas and production was excellent. It
was absolutely professional and the finalé was so well done"
Wendy Toye CBE
"I thought
all the pieces were extra-ordinarily good. I was most impressed by the
'Rain Queen' for its dramatic beauty and 'The Voice of Freedom' for its
grim and thought provoking awe"
Malcom Hickling, Vice President of All England Dance
"We enjoyed
it tremendously. The organisation of so many schools was remarkable,
and resulted in a very smooth running show"
Patricia Prime
"The Millennium
Celebration performance was just that - the atmosphere was created right
at the beginning and sustained to the very end. How pleasing it was to
see Greek Dance used with such imagination and flair. The contrast in
theme; style and content was excellent and the programme was well chosen
to sustain the interest of the audience.
Talented dancers, beautifully trained, well dressed, well lit and well
disciplined. Such a good advertisement for the value of Greek Dance"
Marion Roberts
"I thought
it was a great show and beautifully organised - lovely to see so much
Greek Dancing, so many lovely choreographed numbers and so well rehearsed
and with such a strong musicality throughout"
Barbara Geoghegan
"A very worthwhile
presentation with some delightful performances. 'Artemis' made a strong
theatrical contribution demonstrating the possibility of a full length
work in the future"
Jason Carr, Composer for the RSC, National Theatre etc.
 |
Sonia
Bond And Cynthia Carr at a reception for the South African dancers
in the Millenium Performance, with their teachers Jean Beckley, Patricia
Clancy & June Gruneberg |
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Ruby
Ginner Awards 2000
Saturday November
4th
At Cecil Sharp
House
Regents Park Road
London
Enquires to
Mrs Lucy Pohl
Little Newts,
West Hayes
Hatfield Heath,
Herts
Tel: 01279 730350
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Classical
Greek Dance Festival 2001
Finals Saturday
5th May 2001
At the Commonwealth
Institute Theatre, London.
Heats will be taking
place during February and March 2001.
Enquires to Mrs
Kay Ball Tel: 01342 328365
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