Reviews
Dance on the silver screen:
Written by Marianka Swain
Marianka Swain reflects on the allure of dance films and reveals the results of our reader survey. This article was first published in the October 2011 issue of Dance Today
“Sacrilege!” “Don’t touch it!” “You’ll never re-create the magic!”
These were a few of the less hysterical – and profane – responses to news that Kenny Ortega is remaking classic film Dirty Dancing. After the remake of its 1980s cousin, Footloose, this autumn and Dirty Dancing, Billy Elliot and Flashdance inspiring West End shows, it’s clear dance films have an iron grip on the public’s imagination, but what is it we love so much?
Even the most ardent dance-movie watcher has to admit that, as cinematic works, they vary dramatically in quality, from the postmodern masterpiece Singin’ in the Rain to the predictable plotting and cringeworthy script of…well, most of the others.
"Strictly" legends:
Written by Marianka Swain. Photograph © BBCDance Today's "Strictly" blogger, Marianka Swain, remembers her favourite "Strictly" partnerships...
As promised, I've been compiling a list of my all-time "Strictly" legends. Whether good, bad or downright Crazytown, these 20 pairings have, in my opinion, defined the show, and with Russell cementing his place in this illustrious company, now seems like the perfect time to unveil it. So, without further ado, here they are!
Let your feet do the fundraising at one of Marie Curie Cancer Care’s brand new Dance-a-thon Challenges, held in Blackpool and Sheffield in November.
So You Think You Can Dance:
Written by Vikki Jane Vile
They say TV isn’t glamorous, and sitting on the cold pavement outside White City’s Television Centre certainly proved this to me. However, my patient queuing was for a worthy cause, as I had tickets to be in the audience for the BBC’s flagship Saturday night show “So You Think You Can Dance”.
On May 7 at around 4.30pm the 500-strong audience packed into Television Centre’s biggest studio, and home of “Strictly Come Dancing” in the winter months, TC1. I quickly notice the seating allocated to the week’s choreographers. They make an illustrious reading list, including Karen Hardy, Karen Bruce, Bill Deamer and hip hop choreographer Sean Chessman.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland:
Written by Marianka Swain
“Curiouser and curiouser,” muses Lewis Carroll’s Alice as Wonderland yields yet another bizarre specimen, and the rapt Royal Opera House audience for Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was treated to a similar array of surprising, witty and truly wonderful dancing entities, from a gloriously psychotic Queen of Hearts and Simon Russell Beale’s inspired pantomime Duchess down to waddling topiary and somersaulting miniature hedgehogs.
The International Championships 2010: Latin semi-finals:
Written by Martin Cutler. Photographs by Ron SelfFor those who have never been to see the finals of the International Championships, I can only say, you have missed out on one of the truly remarkable dancing calendar dates. Aside from the obviously superb dancing on show, the fabulous music from Ross Mitchell and his team, and the incomparable organisational skills of Dance News Special Projects, what is outstanding is the atmosphere that this unique amphitheatre produces with its 360-degree audience, rising as high as the ceiling itself.
Burn The Floor:
Written by Nicola Rayner“Ballroom. Reinvented” is the strapline for Burn The Floor, the much-hyped steamy spectacular that was first conceived at Elton John’s 50th birthday celebration in 1997 before it made its world premiere in the UK two years later.
Dirty Dancing :
Written by Nicola RaynerSome cinematic moments are indelibly printed on the collective conscience. For a generation of thirtysomething women, the moment a leather-jacketed Patrick Swayze marches into the end-of-holiday revue at Kellerman’s and says, “Nobody puts Baby in the corner” will remain with them forever. With its legendary lines (“I carried a watermelon”), feelgood soundtrack and hip-rolling moves, the 1987 film Dirty Dancing captured the hearts of a generation.
