Winnie The Pooh review

Cumbria Dance Drama Group Production of Winnie the Pooh

The stage at the Green Room, West Walls was transformed into the hundred acre wood for two nights last week.
The open set had the audience wondering what Cumbria Dance has in store for them this year. The lights dimmed and the cast took their places.
The familiar music of Winnie the Pooh filled the theatre as the lights went up and all the characters were introduced as they left the stage.
Winnie the Pooh, played by Harry Wharam took centre stage as the audience were expertly led through the story by the three nannies (Joni McMullen, Ruari Brown and Kerri Canham).
The much loved adventures of Winnie the Pooh were played out to very appreciative audiences who interacted with the actors at all given opportunities.
The over exuberance of the Tigger character was enthusiastically played out by Richard Gibbon and was a great hit with young and old members of the audience.
The expertly choreographed dancing to the Tigger theme and the heffalumps and woozels were superb and only served to enhance the children’s acting performances.
The young girls playing the bees not only looked the part but very efficiently dealt with the troublesome antics of Pooh bear.
The girls to whom the story was being told gave no indication that the story was anything other than new to them and when the story called for it, they helped to lead the story on.
The white rabbits exasperation at Tigger’s antics were effortlessly shown by Izzy Clark as were the stumbling’s and nervousness of Piglet (Joseph Jackson).
All members of the Junior and Senior Drama Group should be extremely proud of their performances on both nights and deservedly so. It was obvious that they had spent a great deal of time practising and were word perfect on both performances.
Once again Debbie Marper, director, choreographer and principal of Cumbria Dance has managed to show that this area has a wealth of talented young people who can achieve wonderful things when given the right opportunities.
For those who missed seeing these talented young people performing, you missed out on two great nights of fantastic entertainment.

First Newsletter 2012

Term Dates
Spring Term ends Saturday 31st March 2012
Summer Term begins Monday 16th April and ends Saturday 21st July 2012
Half Term is Saturday 2nd June to Friday 8th June 2012


Summer Show
Our show this year is entitled A Night at the Movies. All pupils from Primary upwards will be performing. Please make a note of the date and let us know ASAP if your child is not available - Sunday 24th June 2012 (afternoon rehearsal and evening performance)

Kids’ Zumba Class
Saturday 24th March
4:30 – 5:15pm - £5 (Ages 7 – 12)
The class will be taught by Kelly McClelland who trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. She is a qualified dance teacher and Zumba Instructor with boundless energy! Friends are welcome, no previous experience needed!!!
Contemporary Dance Class
Saturday 24th March
5:15 – 6:30pm - £9 (teenagers - adults)
The class will be taught by Kelly McClelland

Swan Lake
Congratulations to Rowan Gallagher and Laura Croucher who have successfully auditioned for The English Youth Ballet’s production of Swan Lake at the Journal Tyne Theatre Newcastle on 16th and 17th April 2012. Well done!

The Sleeping Beauty – Ballet Theatre UK
At The Sands Centre, Saturday 28th April, 7:30pm
We have tickets at a discounted rate for the above performance - £10 (+ £1.35 booking fee per ticket) usually £18 adults, £12 under 16’s + booking fees.
Last year we met the dancers, held the costumes and watched the Company ballet class beforehand which we plan to do again!
Please see Debbie or Rachel to book tickets.

Uniform
Just a reminder that the correct uniform should be worn from Primary upwards. This includes a bun from Grade 1 upwards for ballet and hair tied back neatly for all other classes.


Winnie The Pooh
A big well done to our drama pupils for their performance in the above production. A review and photographs can be found on our website. The drama group meets on a Monday night and new members are always welcome.

Examination Success
Rosa Aldridge, Molly Giles, Tess Mallon, Michaela Maxwell, Aylish Paisley and Chloe Patterson have all passed Intermediate Modern. This is a vocational examination and therefore carries 38 UCAS points.


Crossovers
We now have cotton crossovers for sale with our logo printed on the back. See Debbie or Rachel for details.

Backstage at Winnie The Pooh

Thank you to The Giles Family for these lovely photographs!

The Drama Group presents Winnie The Pooh, February 2012

We would like to thank Melanie Horne for taking these lovely photographs. Please visit her website http://www.melaniehorne.com/ to purchase any of the above