Essex student to perform with unique ballet company in May

Saturday, April 28, 2012
10:09 AM

Performing in her home county is particularly exciting for Leanne Sanders from Harlow, aged 18.

Leanne is training to be a professional dancer at Central School of Ballet (CSB) in London. Ballet Central is the touring company of CSB, the prestigious centre for professional dance training and education.

Students on the final year of their three year BA (Hons) degree course join Ballet Central to gain invaluable touring experience before graduation.

Ballet Central’s dancers not only perform but also help with all aspects of staging, from technical lighting to wardrobe. William Glassman, Ballet Central’s artistic director, explains the varied programme on offer this year: “There is something for all dance enthusiasts from Classical Ballet, including the Pas De Trois from Swan Lake Act 1, to vibrant Contemporary works, Jazz and Spanish dances as well as a narrative ballet,” he said.

“And there’s the excitement of seeing new works performed for the first time. We’re delighted to be performing a new ballet that echoes the ideals and themes of the Olympics called Circle of 5 created for Ballet Central by Mikaela Polley (Rehearsal Director for the Rambert Dance Company).”

Circle of 5 is a fusion of classical ballet and contemporary dance that expertly demonstrates the pure physicality of Ballet Central dancers. The piece has been granted the Inspire Mark by the London 2012 Inspire Programme. The London 2012 Inspire Programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Classical & Neo-Classical works in the programme include Pas de Trois from Le Corsair, Christopher Gable’s Celebration, and David Fielding’s Six Chamber Dances.

New Contemporary works include Code by Sharon Watson who is Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre and And then their hopes soared...created by CSB’s Director Sara Matthews.

For Jazz and Spanish Dance fans there’s a chance to see Phil Aidan’s Tangoesgue and Sherrill Wexler’s Encuentros and to round off the programme there’s a revival of Matthew Hart’s 2009 narrative ballet Whodunnit?.

Another highlight of Ballet Central is the music, much of which has been created by composer in rsidence Philip Feeney who also performs live on the tour.

Sara Matthews, CSB’s director, comments: “The Ballet Central tour provides the chance to enjoy acclaimed works and new dance pieces in regional theatres across the country, and it’s also the opportunity to see some of the profession’s best emerging dance talent.

“We are the only vocational ballet school to offer an Honours Degree and pre-professional touring experience on such a scale.

“Ballet Central continues to be a springboard for hundreds of dancers into the top international dance companies. Dancers love to perform so touring is a much anticipated part of our three year curriculum.

“And we hope that the Ballet Central tour will provide inspiration to young dancers who may be thinking about professional dance as a career.”

Tickets are £13, concessions £10.50 and a family ticket £42. To book tickets online visit chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres or call the Box Office on 01245 606505.