|
Theatre
Congress 2002
Sunday
17th March may well have been wet and windy outside, but inside the
Westbourne Suite of the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London the atmosphere
was filled with excitement and an air of expectation.
Dancers,
teachers and administrators gathered in the well appointed ballroom
which had been set up with a large area covered by dance mats surrounded
by chairs and tables in long rows providing the ideal venue for the
dancers and the audience.
 |
| Amy
Thake, Royal Ballet School & former pupil of Caroline Wright |
The
proceedings begun with the Chairman's address by Patricia Prime. First
up were three young gentlemen, under the watchful eye and careful instruction
of Alison Willet, who demonstrated the revisions to the Boys Grades
1 & 2 Amalgamations. Juliet Locks and Lucy Pohls presented a demonstration
of Classical Greek which illustrated very clearly the similarities,
and differences, between the training methods for Greek and Classical
Ballet.
Sherrill
Wexler and the students from Elmhurst transported us to Spain with an
exhilarating exploration of Spanish Dance in which both Flamenco and
regional dances were demonstrated with great skill and vigour. Gauri
Sharma Triparthi described and demonstrated the beauty, grace and depth
of meaning of South Asian Dance in her lecture - Unveiling Kathak: A
presentation of North Indian Classical Dance Genre.
 |
| A
student from Elmhurst demonstrating Spanish dancing |
The
star of Tap Dogs, Douglas Mills, really set the place alight as he taught
the group who had taken to the floor a very spirited Tap routine leaving
those of us not brave enough to have joined in wishing that we had!
After
lunch, it was back to basics as Fergus Logan, dance captain for My Fair
Lady, conducted a class in Classical Ballet. Invited students were used
to illustrate the importance of correct placing and strong basic technique
in the production of a top class dancer. The students responded eagerly
to his expert instruction and wealth of knowledge.
The
sounds of a Britney Spears hit song provided the vehicle for a complete
change of pace as Alistair David, from the show Chicago, shared his
wonderful facility and sheer love of the art with the dancers who had
taken to the floor for the Jazz Masterclass. The atmosphere created
left the audience in a very receptive mood for the Showcase - a presentation
of dances by the Faculties' Award Winners which was to follow.
 |
| Participants
in Douglas Mill's masterclass |
And
what a treat it was! The best of the best, so to speak. The great range
of dance disciplines under the umbrella of the Imperial Society illustrated
the versatility of not only the young performers, but also of their
teachers and the Society as a whole. All too soon the last dancers left
the stage and it was time for the vote of thanks to all the participants
who had contributed to the success of the Theatre Congress 2002.
Trevor
Hicks
A Rhythmic day from start to finish!
I
arrived for Mrs Prime's warm welcoming address and a well-earned cup
of coffee, as Sunday mornings are not everyone's forte!
I
was not sure how the day was going to pan out, as it seemed it would
be quite long with the Dinner Dance at the end of the day, but as my
mother says, "you're young, you can cope!" However, I knew that I was
going to be in for a treat looking at the schedule ahead of me.
With
gentle coersion from Alison Willett we were up on our feet learning
the new Boys Grade Amalgamations.
 |
| 'Precious
Gems', pupils of Karen Collings performing at the Showcase |
Following
seamlessly on from that we had a beautiful demonstration of Classical
Greek. I had not seen much Greek dancing before, and it gave me a clear
insight into the commonalties with Ballet, especially shown through
the poise and balance in the body and in the allegro sections.
Sherrill
Wexler's exquisitely choreographed students (from Elmhurst), demonstrated
an exploration in Spanish dancing next. What can I say, this was one
of the highlights for me, amazing. The dancers had personality, energy,
style, panache, and clarity of rhythm, all the factors you need for
Spanish dancing. This is what we would like our students to look like
I'm sure, especially near an exam time. It does not always work out
that way but we try!
 |
| Aimee
Higgs, Grade 4 winner at the Imperial Ballet Awards All photographs:
Elaine Mayson |
After
this explosion of rhythm and pace we were given more food for thought
in the ISTD's newest Faculty, the expressive and rhythmic technique;
South Asian Dance. It reminded me of being back at University grappling
with the pounding foot rhythms and the inevitable eye exercises that
the dancers made look so easy in this demonstration. A fledgling Faculty
that is sure to go from strength to strength.
 |
| Gauri
Sharmi Tripathi from the South Asian Faculty |
Lunch
did seem to be quite a way away, but the next class was sure to make
us forget our growling stomachs! Dougie Mills bombarded us with intricate
steps and cross phrasing and reminded me of the fun you have using different
types of rhythmic response.
Finally
a respite; lunch, although that didn't last too long as we were back
into the foray with an Advanced 1 and over Ballet class given by Fergus
Logan. This was another highlight in the day. It concentrated on a pure
classical technique, no frills or flounces, just hard work, enjoyment
and assembles (that joined in the air!), as he demonstrated so beautifully!
It was a joy to watch a teacher with such an infectious manner and vitality;
the students had no choice but to sweat hard and want more!
The
day was drawing to an end but the last class of the day, Alistair David's
Jazz class, was sure to go out with a bang! A fantastic class with a
routine that wouldn't have looked out of place in a Britney Spears video.
 |
David
Henshaw, former Chairman of the South Asian Faculty, receives the
Abbey Life Cup from Patricia Prime, ISTD Vice Chairman |
Last
but by no means least, the showcase burst on to the floor, full of talent
and energy, demonstrating the high quality of students, teachers and
choreographers that exist all over the UK. What a fantastic day full
of sweat, fun, and hard work but most of all rhythm, rhythm, rhythm!
Lisa
Harrison-Jones
All photos by Elaine Mayson
|
