A Big 'Well Done' to all pupils who took part in Modern Theatre Dance Examinations and Medal Tests on Sunday 19th June 2011.
The results were as expected, 'Fantastic'!!!!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Spring Newsletter
Ballet Examinations
Sunday 3rd April 2011 and late June/early July 2011
Modern and Tap Examinations and Medal Tests
Sunday 19th June 2011
Open Week
From Monday 4th April to Saturday 9th April 2011, we will be holding an open week. Parents and pupils will be welcome to come and watch any of our classes. Perhaps younger children would like to see some of the older pupils dance
Sharing
We are planning a Sharing on Saturday 16th July 2011. This is a morning where all the Saturday children come together to show each other and their parents some of their work. Times will be announced later.
Uniform and Hair
We are becoming increasingly concerned as pupils are coming to class in incorrect clothing. We have a uniform for the simple reason that this promotes safe dance practice, and it is compulsory for exams. With the exception of new pupils, all children from Primary classes upwards should be in the correct uniform with hair tied back, and in a bun or similar for ballet pupils from Grade 1 upwards.
Waiting List.
We have an ever-increasing waiting list for pre-school, Reception and Year 1 pupils. If there are younger siblings or friends who may be interested in joining us it is worth putting their names down well in advance!
Sunday 3rd April 2011 and late June/early July 2011
Modern and Tap Examinations and Medal Tests
Sunday 19th June 2011
Open Week
From Monday 4th April to Saturday 9th April 2011, we will be holding an open week. Parents and pupils will be welcome to come and watch any of our classes. Perhaps younger children would like to see some of the older pupils dance
Sharing
We are planning a Sharing on Saturday 16th July 2011. This is a morning where all the Saturday children come together to show each other and their parents some of their work. Times will be announced later.
Uniform and Hair
We are becoming increasingly concerned as pupils are coming to class in incorrect clothing. We have a uniform for the simple reason that this promotes safe dance practice, and it is compulsory for exams. With the exception of new pupils, all children from Primary classes upwards should be in the correct uniform with hair tied back, and in a bun or similar for ballet pupils from Grade 1 upwards.
Waiting List.
We have an ever-increasing waiting list for pre-school, Reception and Year 1 pupils. If there are younger siblings or friends who may be interested in joining us it is worth putting their names down well in advance!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
101 Dalmatians review
Cumbria Dance Drama Group Production
101 Dalmatians, West Walls, Carlisle
Photograph and review by Michelle Jackson
101 Dalmatians, West Walls, Carlisle
Photograph and review by Michelle Jackson
There was an expectant hush as the curtain went back to reveal Missus (Molly Giles) sitting centre stage, would this colourful adaptation of 101 Dalmatians prove to be as entertaining as the very popular Disney version.
The audience were not disappointed. Every member of the cast played their parts to perfection, from the very young members of the junior group to older members of the senior group.
The dramatic monochrome scenery and costumes only intensified the excellent acting skills of all the children.
Cumbria Dance Drama Groups principal, Debbie Marper, proved once again what a talented tutor, director and choreographer she is.
The rapport played out between Missus and Pongo (Richard Gibbon) as the expectant parents was delightful, particularly with their contempt and love for their pets Mr & Mrs Dearly (Harry Wharam and Izzy Clark).
Richard’s portrayal of a nervous expectant father and then the proud new father was sure to have struck a cord with many of the parents in the audience.
The strong talent of Bethany Mason as she played the enormous character of Cruella de Ville was obvious as was her dislike of anything not to her taste. This was most obvious when it came to her Badduns and house servants.
The bumbling Jasper and Saul Baddun (Beth Giles and Joseph Jackson) were an unlikely pair of criminals but their antics proved to be very comical for the watching audience.
In fact the audience were taken through a whole series of emotions as the play wound its way through Dodie Smiths epic tale. From tears of laughter at the antics of the Badduns and the puppies to tears of joy when all the dogs had been returned safely home.
Any member of Friday or Saturday nights audience will agree that every child had obviously spent a lot of time and effort not only learning their lines but also understanding their characters role.
Those children who played more than one role also deserve a special mention, as the play flowed seamlessly along with no pregnant pauses whilst costumes were changed and new characters introduced.
Cumbria Dance Drama Group should be very proud of themselves and deservedly so, every child’s performance was fabulous and I’m sure everyone of the cast and their families will now be eagerly waiting for details of and looking forward to next year’s production.
The audience were not disappointed. Every member of the cast played their parts to perfection, from the very young members of the junior group to older members of the senior group.
The dramatic monochrome scenery and costumes only intensified the excellent acting skills of all the children.
Cumbria Dance Drama Groups principal, Debbie Marper, proved once again what a talented tutor, director and choreographer she is.
The rapport played out between Missus and Pongo (Richard Gibbon) as the expectant parents was delightful, particularly with their contempt and love for their pets Mr & Mrs Dearly (Harry Wharam and Izzy Clark).
Richard’s portrayal of a nervous expectant father and then the proud new father was sure to have struck a cord with many of the parents in the audience.
The strong talent of Bethany Mason as she played the enormous character of Cruella de Ville was obvious as was her dislike of anything not to her taste. This was most obvious when it came to her Badduns and house servants.
The bumbling Jasper and Saul Baddun (Beth Giles and Joseph Jackson) were an unlikely pair of criminals but their antics proved to be very comical for the watching audience.
In fact the audience were taken through a whole series of emotions as the play wound its way through Dodie Smiths epic tale. From tears of laughter at the antics of the Badduns and the puppies to tears of joy when all the dogs had been returned safely home.
Any member of Friday or Saturday nights audience will agree that every child had obviously spent a lot of time and effort not only learning their lines but also understanding their characters role.
Those children who played more than one role also deserve a special mention, as the play flowed seamlessly along with no pregnant pauses whilst costumes were changed and new characters introduced.
Cumbria Dance Drama Group should be very proud of themselves and deservedly so, every child’s performance was fabulous and I’m sure everyone of the cast and their families will now be eagerly waiting for details of and looking forward to next year’s production.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Jungle Book review
Cumbria Dance Drama Group Production – Jungle Book, West Walls, Carlisle. Friday 19th and Saturday 20th February 2010
The jungle drums were beating loudly on Friday and Saturday night at West Walls Theatre in Carlisle as Cumbria Dance Drama Group put on their production of the Jungle Book. If patrons were expecting an amateur production they will have been pleasantly surprised by the high calibre of acting and presentation delivered by this young group of actors.
The story was expertly narrated by Natalia Clark as she led the audience through Rudyard Kipling’s legendary tale. From the moment Kaa (Molly Giles) entered the stage and performed her hypnotic dance the audience were enthralled. Baloo (Harry Wharam), Bagheera (Richard Gibbon) and Mowgli (Joseph Jackson) had a fabulous rapport, which leant itself very well to their performances and eased the audience through the story.
There was a definite Indian theme from the vibrant costumes and dazzling make-up, to the atmospheric music.
The conflicts between the animals were played out very dramatically, and all those children playing more than one role, switched between their roles seamlessly.
The inclusion of the junior drama group was an asset to the story and given the children’s size and ages they were very comfortable on stage and performed extremely well.
When it was time for the interval we were left on the edge of our seats waiting to see how the story would unfold, and were in no way disappointed.
The climax when Shere Khan (Jenny Wharam) was defeated brought the whole production to a very dramatic and timely conclusion.
Both nights received rapturous applause from a very satisfied and entertained house and we all look forward to next year’s production.
Cumbria Dance Drama Group should be very proud of themselves and deservedly so, every child’s performance was fabulous, but of course none of this would have been possible without the talented skill of Debbie Marper (director, choreographer, costumes etc) to whom we are very grateful.
Michelle Jackson
The jungle drums were beating loudly on Friday and Saturday night at West Walls Theatre in Carlisle as Cumbria Dance Drama Group put on their production of the Jungle Book. If patrons were expecting an amateur production they will have been pleasantly surprised by the high calibre of acting and presentation delivered by this young group of actors.
The story was expertly narrated by Natalia Clark as she led the audience through Rudyard Kipling’s legendary tale. From the moment Kaa (Molly Giles) entered the stage and performed her hypnotic dance the audience were enthralled. Baloo (Harry Wharam), Bagheera (Richard Gibbon) and Mowgli (Joseph Jackson) had a fabulous rapport, which leant itself very well to their performances and eased the audience through the story.
There was a definite Indian theme from the vibrant costumes and dazzling make-up, to the atmospheric music.
The conflicts between the animals were played out very dramatically, and all those children playing more than one role, switched between their roles seamlessly.
The inclusion of the junior drama group was an asset to the story and given the children’s size and ages they were very comfortable on stage and performed extremely well.
When it was time for the interval we were left on the edge of our seats waiting to see how the story would unfold, and were in no way disappointed.
The climax when Shere Khan (Jenny Wharam) was defeated brought the whole production to a very dramatic and timely conclusion.
Both nights received rapturous applause from a very satisfied and entertained house and we all look forward to next year’s production.
Cumbria Dance Drama Group should be very proud of themselves and deservedly so, every child’s performance was fabulous, but of course none of this would have been possible without the talented skill of Debbie Marper (director, choreographer, costumes etc) to whom we are very grateful.
Michelle Jackson
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