The Finch School of Dancing delighted audiences all week at the Sidmouth Manor Pavilion Theatre.
The school, which runs classes in the dance studio in Ottery St Mary, has been dazzling Sidmouth audiences with its bi-annual dance show since 1988 with Steps In Time.
In this year’s Sidmouth show, the youngest student in the pre-primary ballet group was just three years old. Unfazed, the group enchanted a packed house with a scene from Beauty and the Beast, which also featured an accomplished solo vocal performance from Danielle Hayes as Belle.
Burn it Up! showcases all the dance styles that Finch teaches, including tap, modern dance and ballet. This year the show also included a performance of street dance by Urbanflow, choreographed by Louise Latham.
As with every recent Finch show, the mastermind behind it all was principal Lucy Ford.
And the hard work has paid off, the performance sparkled with humour in a wonderfully cheeky performance of Naughty by the Primary & Grade I tap class - aged five to nine, sumptuous and inspired costumes, especially in the numbers Asian Fusion and Singin’ in the Rain, outstanding choreography and great technical skill from all involved, notably by the senior dancers in the dramatic Masquerade Waltz.
The performance has impressed the packed house of parents, families, friends and dance fans.
Andrea Holman said: “An amazing and outstanding show, the Ugh-A-Wug dance was superb. Well done to everyone involved.”
Vicki Lawrence added: “The show is so well put together, involving children from a variety of ages. My now 6 year old also performed at the last show aged 4. She absolutely loves the atmosphere.”
Steph Clark said: “My daughter was buzzing with excitement, each and every time she came off stage, she enjoyed every minute. The atmosphere was electric.”
After a week-long run, the final curtain fell on Burn it Up! on Saturday evening.
Emma Farrant said: “I know my daughter is sad that it will all be over, after tonight’s finale - they have all shone and been outstanding - a truly lovely group of girls who clearly love dancing together.”
Lucy said: “Putting on a show of this scale takes 9 months of hard work and dedication.
“However, I believe it is an important part of each dancer’s training. To be able to perform on stage in a proper theatre, with professional lighting and sound is the ultimate experience for any young dancer.”
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