(Pic by Val Adamson)
Returning
for its 24th season, Shall We Dance -
the glittering annual showcase of fabulous ballroom and Latin American takes to
the Playhouse Opera stage from September 9 to 17.
The
showcase features close to 100 of KZNs most exciting dancers from the region’s
top dance studios in the annual dance extravaganza. With dancers from as young
as eight years old to family groups to top international award-winning
professionals, this year’s show is sure to dazzle, inspire, impress and get
everyone’s toes tapping!
The
well-experienced duo of dance veterans, Caryl Cusens and Neville Letard, join
forces for their 24th year as joint directors. They co-ordinate featured styles
of ever-popular ballroom and Latin; as well as ballet; belly-dance; tap-dance;
Irish and modern which is sure to captivate and keep your gaze glued to the
stage.
Returning
as MC is East Coast Radio's Damon Beard.
The
professional couples this year are Ballroom dancers Nicolai Bouet from Denmark
and Anna Shagalina from the Ukraine who both represent Denmark in the genre of
sport dancing. This exciting couple have just competed at the Amateur Rising
Star Blackpool Dance Festival where they finished 16th in the world.
No
strangers to the Shall We Dance
family, the Latin couple for this year are Darren Hammond from South Africa
dancing with Milla Lykke Nielsen from Denmark. They recently competed in the
Blackpool Dance Festival in the Latin competition finishing eleventh.
Joining
them is Darren’s brother Ryan who will be performing with newcomer Angelique
Allison as this year’s Show Dance couple. A firm favourite with dancing fans
across the country, Ryan will be familiar to Strictly Come Dancing South Africa
audiences and of course, is a regular on the Shall We Dance Durban stage.
Shall We Dance once more promises to delight
audiences with its carefully-chosen mix of quality dance – with an underlying
Ballroom and Latin American feel. Complementing the dance is a careful
selection of music. “This year we have everything from Queen to popular tracks
by South African legends Mango Groove and Malaika. The programme includes music
from Justin Bieber; Justin Timberlake; Taylor Swift; Swing City; Fulanito;
Austin Powers; Pirates of Caribbean; Game
of Thrones, Swan Lake and Singing in the Rain! And a dance show
wouldn’t be complete without a bit of swing and a samba island type of music.”
stated Shall We Dance Director,
Neville Letard.
This
annual showcase came into being in 1991, and is probably the longest enduring
annual production in Durban, if not in South Africa. It is presented by the
Playhouse Company in association with the South African Dance Teachers’
Association.
Tickets booked
at Computicket: www.computicket.co.za or 0861 915 8000.
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