WHAT A GREAT REVIEW!

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WHAT A GREAT REVIEW!

As you enter the beautiful winter gardens in Ilkley, children are weaving excitably through the crowds dressed in 1940’s style dresses, with berets and cloth bags to match. The detail and attention gone into the costumes combined the wide smiles on these young dancers faces let everyone know you are in for a treat of an evening. It’s the 10 year anniversary of the Wright Theatre Arts Academy and I notice this year the front of house is bustling with life more than ever. There is a shop selling beautiful mementos alongside the ever beautiful programmes this year, staffed by committed and friendly volunteers, the raffle is bursting with prizes and the tea and cake stand has a long excitable que. It’s clear to all that have come for the show, this is more than a dancing school, this a community, and all that take part are energised and inspired by the Wright family team at the helm of it all.

As we take our seat in the beautiful theatre we are transported back in time to the World War II London blitz. The creative and dynamic lighting design and expertly chosen music lead us into the show and we have our first dance as the young dancers come expertly tapping onto stage. Their wonderful costumes, energy and smiles are a pleasure to watch. The choreography is bursting with steps and rhythms that the dancers master beautifully, as we chug on the steam train out into the country side, we meet our main characters for the first time and the scene is expertly set.

The ever-changing costumes and clever set design take us through all of the different places that Peter, Lucy, Edmund and Susan experience, and the wonderful stage presence of all the character parts draw us into to this magical story. From the ever supportive and friendly Professor, to the sweet, kind Mr Tumnus, powerful Aslan and cruel White Witch, we meet each character and marvel at their dancing skills. Every child wears their costume with pride and the headdresses and capes and props are animated perfectly. All of the dancing skills that the children have been beavering away on at class, from as young as three years old, are showcased wonderfully. Proud parents clap and cheer as their children dance proudly for us, but I notice that the applause fades in-between each dance as we are drawn into the story and allow ourselves to carried by the expert storytelling. This is more than a showcase of talent, this is a true celebration of both C.S Lewis’ magical story and the talents of ALL the children in the academy. The dynamic Bollywood ladies remind us that passion and energy for dance is shared all the way through the school across the ages. We see the older children guide the young through their positions and steps and we understand that being part of the Wright Theatre Arts family is a wonderful experience for all.

The final act sums up the evening perfectly for me, with the fight scene in particular. With all the dancers giving everything they’re got to this dramatic part of the story. Headdresses and costumes move and flash before us, leaps and lifts, there’s so much to look at, so much offered to the audience, with everything in abundance. It’s a feast for the eyes. With the wonderful Aslan and her amazing headdress weaving and leaping across the stage, we’re on the edge of our seats and all the children are dancing for their lives. As the curtains close on this dramatic scene, I’m left wondering what it must be like to choreograph every step, sew every costume, make every prop, chaperone every child and care for every student, whatever their age. Shows are like ice burgs for me, with only a small amount on stage and on show for us, and a huge amount happening below the surface. What must it be like to be part of this family that works together to bring such a bountiful feast of an offering? With the closing goodbyes we are given a glimpse into this schools heart. Tearful long-standing members of the school give heartfelt words of thanks and the dynamic team of Lynne Wright and Tamsin Wright who thank us for coming, and to all their supporters and volunteers. We leave the theatre full of words of love and support and with Father Christmas’ jolly words, full of Christmas spirit.

 

16
Jan 2018
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