A real-life Billy Elliot story reaches its climax this week when local dancer Henry Ward performs at Stantonbury Theatre as part of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance post-graduate company, which brings the show VERVE to town.
A resident of Sandy and former pupil of Sandy Upper School, Henry’s performance aspirations began when he was young and wanted to be an actor.
However, he identifies the quality of the dance department at his secondary school as one of the factors that led him in to dance. “I went to an after school dance club and fell in love with it” he said.
Dance, particularly outside of formal education, is still dominated by girls but Henry believes it is, and should be, for everybody.
“Dance is a beautiful art form” he explained. “Just like a footballer kicks a ball, a dancer leaps across the stage. There is beauty in all movement, and once the world sees that, there will be a great influx of boys into the dance industry.”
His experience at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance has only increased the love of dance that began at school.
“It has been an amazing experience. The people I’ve trained with are immensely talented and that has brought fire to my dancing. The school has a beautiful support system and teachers from all backgrounds which has felt like a fundamental part of my training to become a versatile dancer.”
Now ready to embark on a professional career, Henry is looking forward to returning to Bedfordshire as part of the performing company bringing VERVE to Stantonbury Theatre.
“It’s going to be such an amazing feeling” he continued. “I want places like Millton Keynes and all the counties to see that dance can be an extremely touching and rewarding experience both as a performer and an audience member. People can expect a virtuosic, diverse and highly physical show full of care, empathy and grit – a true celebration of dance.”
VERVE comes to Stantonbury Theatre on Friday (March 8) and will feature an ambitious programme of bold new dance work created by internationally-acclaimed and award-winning choreographers Joan Clevillé (Catalonia), Maxine Doyle (UK) and Ben Wright (UK), alongside a restaging of Shutdown by Noa Zuk (Israel).
To book tickets click here
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