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I awoke to sore facial muscles last Saturday, which I have to put down to around two hours of grinning like The Cheshire Cat during Victoria Dance’s Fashionista at the Cultural Hall on Friday afternoon.
Putting on any show involving young children is always a gamble and, yes, there were a couple of girls who momentarily froze or stopped to wave when they spotted their parents, but overall the young dancers were remarkably self-assured and talented and the entire show was professional and polished.
The programme consisted of 42 different dances, all on the Fashionista theme, featuring tap, Irish dancing, ballet, contemporary, hip hop and even modern jazz. As always with a Victoria Dance performance the costumes were excellent, adding the perfect foil to the carefully and intricately plaited hair of the dancers.
Everyone shone like the diamonds that featured so prominently in a few of the songs, but certain routines were ‘stand out’. The two young ‘Men in Black’ won all our hearts with their routine and Deema dazzlingly danced to Beautiful. A very talented young lady. She even had her fan club in attendance judging by the hollering and whooping when she came on stage.
Then there was the Zoot Suit Riot with three young ladies ‘Tapping’ their way to glory with such flair, élan and talent that I think we all wanted to rush up on stage and join them.
It would not be a Victoria Dance production without at least one piece to stop us in our tracks and make us really think about what we were watching and this year’s Young And Beautiful had me brushing away tears.
The young lady dancers were very soberly dressed, each sporting a traditional white mask as well to add to the effect. The choreography was brilliant, but as no names are mentioned in the programme I cannot give the choreographer the credit that is due. The routine was absolutely stunning and so poignant.
In fact from the opening number, Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini with the Baby Ballet Group to the closing notes of Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend featuring the Fun Fit and Fabulous Ladies, we all had a wonderful afternoon’s entertainment full of fabulous dancing … and spotted some names that we are going to see in lights in the future.
Well done to everyone involved. It was once again, an afternoon to remember.
– Christine Hasan
