|
On a wet and windy Friday morning in March,
dance students were given an unforgettable opportunity as
the awesome Matthew Bourne and members of his company hosted
a dance workshop.
Bourne's latest work, Play Without Words,
opened its national tour at the Norwich Theatre Royal. He
was delighted to be hosting the first celebrity master-class
at The Garage.
"I think it's a wonderful new place,"
he told Norfolk Blast. "I think the potential of this
new building is incredible and I think it's going to go from
strength to strength."
Matthew Bourne hoped that by working with
Norwich's young dancers it would help encourage their careers.
"It's always nice to try and inspire
people and young people particularly. I'm aware that my story
is quite an inspirational one to tell.
"I did start dance very late, I was
a bit directionless for a while and I
don't come from a theatrical family. I come from a working
class family, went to quite a rough school in East London
and I ended up choreographing ballets, which is quite odd
really! It's nice to tell that story and it might inspire
some people.
Scott Ambler from Play Without Words with
workshop students |
"When I was young I had all the urge
and the instinct to do it, but I didn't really know how to
do it - so it's about having the people around you to help
you and give you the way forwards. I think more places like
The Garage will help people to do that."
Beverly Bennett from Backstreet Energy was
really happy with the event.
"I think today's gone very well, it's
been interesting to learn different types of choreography,
how to work with partners, teams and co-ordinate with each
other. It's been a brilliant opportunity to do something like
this."
For Peter Wilson, the big cheese at Norwich's
Theatre Royal, the dance workshop is exactly what his vision
of The Garage project was all about.
"The workshop is precisely what this
building is supposed to be used for - to raise everyone's
game in order to see what it's like the professional theatrical
world.
"This is the start of a long journey
towards uniting the people of Norwich who have performance
skills and ambitions, with the very best."
Matthew Bourne sees the image of dance is
changing and that more lads are getting interested in taking
part.
"I also think
it's more accepted for young men to be interested in dance.
It's not all about ballet and tights and ponceing around in
silly old stories anymore, it can be many other things."
Matthew Bourne faces a question and answer
session after The Garage workshop. |
Jack Thomas is a student at Norwich City
College:
"I've learnt a different genre of dance as
I normally work in hip-hop. I never thought I'd be working
with dancers like Matthew Bourne's company.
"It's good they've finally built up
one place in Norwich where all the different dance courses
in the city can work together as a community."
As for The Garage, it has made a lasting
impression on Matthew Bourne: "Who
knows what will come out of The Garage?
"It could form companies, it could develop
the people who are going to tour works around the country
in the future, who knows.
"I see a lot of stuff around the country
and I think dance is thriving. I don't necessarily think that
London is the place to be, you're more likely to create an
interest if you making it in your own region."
Play Without Words is on national tour
until mid-May, 2004. For details visit the National Theatre
website.
Review:
Play Without Words at Norwich Theatre Royal
New
season at The Garage for Norwich Youth Theatre
大象传媒
Blast: Profile of Matthew Bourne
If this feature has sparked your interest
in the performance arts, you've loads of choice in Norfolk.
Check out these websites.
The 大象传媒 is not responsible for the content
of external websites
|
