On
the 12th June 2003 Broughton Dance were delighted to welcome this internationally
renowned jazz dance company back to the Victory Hall following yet another
highly successful coast to cost tour of America. Carolene Hinds and Russell
Sargeant who many locals will remember from their excellent workshops
in the village last September, led two energetic workshops for eager pupils
at Ulverston Victoria High School and Dowdales School of Performing Arts.
Carolene and Russell
were joined b y five more members of the company to give the most spectacular
performance that the newly refurbished Victory Hall has hosted to date.
With full house, amazing dancing and a great atmosphere it was, without
a doubt, a brilliant night out! The dancers certainly lived up to their
reputation as 'Europe's premiere jazz dance company' as they thrilled
the packed audience with a show charting the origins of jazz dance from
the 20's, 30's and 40's in Harlem, New York City. The dancers took us
on through the rocking 50's, the swinging 60's and on to the popular
70's and 80's jazz streetdance styles. Carolene Hinds, the company's
artistic director and the world's leading Lindy Hop dancer, immediately
struck up a rapport with her audience as she narrated the show with
her usual warmth and humour. The audience was treated to a lesson in
dance history, which was enterainment in itself. The programme got off
to a 'finger-snappin' start with expertly performed numbers such as
the Charleston, the Boogie Woogie, the Cakewalk and the Jitterbug. The
dancers' 1950's Rock and Roll numbers had both young and not so young
tapping to the beat, practising their hand jive technique and rocking
in the aisles! It was an evening that lifted the audience of all ages
onto it's feet and finally on to the stage to join with the company
for a show-stopping Saturday Night Fever number. The Victory Hall certainly
saw one or two members of the local community 'strut their staff' that
evening!
A great show, with
fabulous dancers, brilliant music and a host of nostalgia was all too
soon brought to a close. As their finale the dancers demonstrated their
exhilarating energy and enthusiasm as they performed what is undoubtedly
of the most entertaining dance inventions of the 20th century - the
Lindy Hop. As one Arts critic writing for The Times in the early 90s
said about the company's performance,
'….although the programme is both informative and at times touching,
I must emphasise that it is the sheer entertainment value that hits
you.'
Despite all their
travels around the world the Lindy Hoppers regard Broughton as one of
their favourite places to visit and work. Which means we may just have
to invite them back for another performance…watch this space and
be warned tickets will sell FAST!
Broughton Dance
would like to express their appreciation to the following for their
support:
The Neighbourhood Forum SLDC, The Parish Council and the Agnes Dixon
Trust for grants received to establish this community group; to Cumbria
Community Fund and Cumbria County Council (First Aid for Cumbria and
Cultural Exhibitions and Events Grant) in funding the workshops in Sept
2002 and for part funding the performance by the Jiving Lindy Hoppers
in June 2003; Awards for All for funding towards equipment and running
costs for weekly dance classes.
Broughton Dance also wishes to express its appreciation to local businesses
and individuals for support received with advertising, refreshments,
raffle and backstage management for the Jiving Lindy Hopper performance
in June 2003.