| Centenary
Gala '100 Years of Dance'
On
Sunday 26th September at Sadler’s Wells, London, the
ISTD Centenary Gala, ‘100 Years of Dance’, proved
to be a spectacular success. In front of a full house more
than 400 performers ambitiously showcased the many forms of
dance that have entertained audiences throughout the last
century, reflecting the rich and varied dance styles within
the ISTD family. We hope this report gives an insight into
this unique and wonderful event!
Our
Centenary celebrations have served to demonstrate the vision,
talent, loyalty and appreciation of the diversity of the ISTD.
In hindsight and with a wry smile, I can honestly tell you
that the Centenary Gala at Sadler’s Wells was certainly
a tour de force that caught the production team by surprise
as it grew in terms of breadth and the number of performers,
right up to the last minute.
The
production team had daily if not hourly checklists and changes
to the running order, but the rewards far outweighed the workload
and the performance will live in our hearts for many years.
Once
again thanks to all the directors, teachers, performers and
their parents for supporting the day. My personal thanks to
our Gala Director, Chris Baldock and Dance Sport consultant,
Richard Marcel.
We
have a remarkable society that will continue to develop in
quality and vision for the next century.
Sue
Passmore
Gala Producer
Click
here to see the a full list of the performers>>
1900’s
The curtain rose and the eagerly anticipated ISTD Centenary
Gala commenced with a beautiful Classical Greek demonstration
of Terpsichore. This was a very fitting number on which to
commence the show as it symbolised the origins of the society
perfectly.
 |
Ragtime
Students from Bird College
Arranged by Paul Herbert |
 |
Terpsichore
Karen Collings Dance Studios
Choreography: Karen Collings |
1910’s
As the new century moved forward, the elegant formality of
this era was superbly demonstrated by the sequence dancing
of the Moonlight-Oldtime Formation Team.
 |
The
Sullivan Routine
Moonlight-Oldtime Formation Team
Choreography: Julie Earnshaw |
1920’s
Full speed to the roaring twenties with both Ballet and Ballroom
being showcased to an extremely high standard. The Royal Ballet’s
Francesca Filpi dancing ‘Birthday Offering’ had
a particular resonance, as 2004 also marks the centenary celebrations
of both the ISTD and Sir Frederick Ashton’s birth.
 |
Tribute
Kate Simmons Dance
Choreography: Jeremy Kerridge |
 |
Ballroom
Through the Ages
Staging: Richard Marcel |
1930’s
The sultry tones on Bonnie Langford’s ‘Hit Me
With A Hot Note’ epitomised the sound of the 30’s
perfectly, and from Bird College’s homage to the musicals
of the time to the wonderful Latin Café number, we
were transported back to another era.
 |
Latin
Café
Staging: Richard Marcel &
Nicky Miles/ Mark Willemite |
 |
On
the Town
Students from Bird College
Choreography: Andrew Wilson |
 |
Hit
Me With A Hot Note
Sung by Bonnie Langford |
1940’s
From the charmingly traditional ‘Lancashire Mill Town’
to the energetic Latin and Swing to name just a few, this
decade represented the changes that the world was going through
in the war years.
 |
Swing
Set
Elite Stage & Dance School
Choreography: Richard Marcel |
 |
Dawn
Dancing
Myra Tiffin Performing Arts School
Choreography: Christine Reynolds |
 |
Dancin’
Fool
Students from Performers College
Choreography: Jo Darnell |
 |
Lancashire
Mill Town
Bramhall School of Dancing
Choreography: Helen Gray,
assisted by Jane Peilober & Hilary Gray |
 |
In
Pursuit of Happiness
Corraine Collins Dance Studio
Choreography: Nikki O’Hara |
1950’s
The 1950’s commenced with a swing as Performer’s
College both looked and danced the part of ‘Teddy Boys’
and ‘Bobby Soxers’ perfectly, and the colourful
theme continued as the Back 2 Back Dancers gave us a taste
of formation dancing. We were then treated to the superb vocal
talents of David Barrett with a soulful rendition of Azure
Te from the musical ‘Five Guys Named Moe’.
 |
Rock
‘n’ Roll Medley
Performers College
Choreography: Brian Rogers |
 |
Gotcha
Students from Bird College
Choreography: Nick French |
 |
Azure
Te
(from 5 Guys Named Moe)
Sung by David Barrett |
 |
Latin
Formation Team
Back 2 Back Dancers
Choreography: Margaret Preedy |
1960’s
The swinging Sixties saw a stunning performance from
West End star Alexandra Jay, who did great justice to the
decadent jazz number ‘Cabaret’.
 |
Cabaret
Sung by Alexandra Jay |
 |
She’s
Not There
Performers College
Choreography: Sue Brice |
1970’s
The hip and colourful era of the 1970’s was reflected
in this high energy sequence, as the enthusiasm could be felt
all through the theatre! These numbers reflected the age of
disco perfectly and certainly got feet tapping in the audience!
 |
You
Should be Dancing
(taken from Saturday Night Fever)
Students of Bird College
Choreography: Helen Dixon |
 |
Soul
Train
Funkstylerz UK
Choreography: Funkstylerz UK |
 |
Cross
Town Traffic
Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts (Lower School)
Choreography: Denise Ranger |
1980’s
The mood turned funky as we reached the 1980’s and these
talented dance schools certainly gave their all as we neared
the modern era!
 |
Love
Lines
The Live Wire School of Dance
Choreography: Sarah Fenn-Tye |
 |
What
a Feeling
Dance-Beat & Harfield Dance Studios
Staging: Richard Marcel |
1990’s
As we approached the present day we were treated to stunning
performances by some of the UK’s leading dance colleges
and schools, and it was a pleasure to watch these professionals
of the future!
 |
Just
Take Stock
Students from Bird College,
Myra Tiffin Performing Arts School & the Meggitt Dancers
Choreography: Nikki O’Hara |
 |
Random
Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts (3rd Years)
Choreography: Derek Hough |
2000’s
Into the 21st Century and time to enjoy a South Asian dance
performance from the winners of the ISTD Choreographic Competition,
the Chitraleka Dance Company.
After
her successful time on the BBC hit programme ‘Strictly
Come Dancing’, Lesley Garrett and her on-screen partner
Anton Du Beke wowed the audience with their dancing. Combined
with stars from the Royal Ballet, the show ended on a high.
Everyone who attended and the performers themselves are sure
to remember the finale, which probably featured more dancers
on stage than for any other show!
 |
Lasya
Chitraleka Dance Company
Choreography: Chitraleka Bolar |
 |
Strictly
Foxtrot
Lesley Garrett & Anton du Beke
Choreography: Anton du Beke |
 |
Cinderella
Vanessa Palmer as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella from
The Royal Ballet
Choreography: Sir Frederick Ashton |
 |
The
Tango from Façade
Francesca Filpi & Ricardo Cervera from The Royal Ballet
Choreography: Sir Frederick Ashton |
 |
Salsa!
Elite Salsa Kids with Richard & Paul Marcel
Choreography: Richard Marcel |
 |
Rap
Tap
Students from Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts
& Hampton Hill Theatre School
Choreography: Chris Baldock |
|
