Susan and the team at SK Dance Studio are thrilled to announce some very exciting news for our dancers… We’ve been invited by the producers of “Hits of the Musicals” to perform in their 25th anniversary show at the beautiful Opera House Theatre, Blackpool Winter Gardens, host to recent West End shows such as Cats, Mamma Mia, “Joseph” and “Priscilla”.
“I’m really honoured that the producers have invited us to perform again this year, especially given it will be an extra-special programme to celebrate this long running show’s 25th anniversary” said Susan.
“We’ll have to go some to top the dazzling 42nd Street routine that our talented tappers delivered the last time we danced at the Opera House” Susan continued; “Our dancers were so good that we were asked to close the show – they really brought the house down!”.
But as you’d expect from Susan, Cara and the talented SK Dancers, they’re already working on something really special for this year’s performance – a fast and furious Riverdance inspired Irish-style tap that will get the whole audience tapping along.
“Dancing on a huge professional stage like the Opera House Theatre is such a thrill for our young dancers” said Susan. “Over the years, we’ve performed at some amazing venues including Sadler’s Wells in London and even at Disneyland Paris. Our dancers always look back on their big stage experiences with such fond memories and I’m so pleased that SK Dance Studio is part of making them”.
All dancers from and including our pre-primary class (10.30am Saturday class) and upwards will be involved. You’ll find information on costumes, timings below. Don’t forget, we also have a full dress rehearsal on Sunday 24th April at Shevington Community Centre at 2:00pm to 3.30pm. Click here for details.
Diary Date: Saturday April 30th 2016 – 7pm Performance Time
SK Dance Studio to perform at Opera House Theatre, Blackpool
Format of the day
We’re pleased to confirm we’ve now been given our on-stage rehearsal time-slot for the Blackpool show on Saturday 30th April. It will be at 6pm. This means we don’t need to leave for Blackpool until 4pm, which gives us time for an extra rehearsal at dancing before we go. See below for details.
Because of this late rehearsal slot, we won’t get any free time like previous years between the rehearsal and the 7pm show, so children won’t be released to meet parents for dinner. Instead, they will stay backstage with chaperones and eat a pre-packed tea which you’ll need to send with your child.
Transport to and from Blackpool:
- As in previous years, all those taking part will be required to travel to and from Blackpool on our dancer’s coach.
- This ensures we’re able to keep everyone safely together as one group, and makes it easier to manage our rehearsal.
- Every child will have a named chaperone so you know exactly who’s caring for them, but we appreciate that parents who are not chaperones may still wish to travel on the coach with their child. There will be some spare capacity – see below.
- On arrival at the theatre, children must be left with their named chaperone to go backstage. This is to comply with Health and Safety regulations.
- Your child will be chaperoned at all times during the whole day.
Format of the day on Saturday 30th April:
- Extra rehearsal at Shevington Community Centre for all dancers taking part – 11:00am to 1:00pm.
- This is instead of your usual Saturday dancing class.
- Coach leaves at 4:00pm from Appley Bridge Village Hall, Appley Lane North
- Additional coach places are available: Please book your coach places with Susan by Sunday 24th April (we will book 2 coaches if demand for coach travel requires)
- On arrival at Blackpool dancers will go straight to their dressing room with their chaperone to get ready for the on-stage dress rehearsal at 6pm.
- Dancers will return to their dressing room after the rehearsal with chaperones and eat a packed tea.
- Show starts at 7:00pm and will run until approximatley 10:00pm.
- Chaperones will escort dancers from the theatre to the coach.
- Parents travelling on the coach with us should meet their children ONLY once safely back on the coach only. This ensures we can keep all dancers together and account for everyone’s whereabouts.
- Coach will return to Village Hall at approx 11:30pm where parents should collect their children – we will confirm the exact time on the day.
- Chaperone list will be available at dancing – see noticeboard. Please note that chaperones won’t be able to watch the performance – they’ll be in charge back-stage!
Tickets
- Tickets are sold by the theatre (not by SK Dance Studio).
- Tickets are £10 each, or £7.50 for concessions.
- You can buy online now at Ticketmaster (search “Hits Lancashire 25” at Blackpool Opera House). There is a booking fee.
- Tickets are also available at the theatre box office. It’s a MASSIVE theatre and there’s never been a problem getting tickets on the day in previous years, but it’s your call whether you risk this :-).
What to bring (and not bring!)
- Please click here to see a full costume, accessories and hair checklist. You’ll also find a picture on this page to show you the hairstyle that is required.
- Plain elastic hair bobble, green ribbon (Susan to supply) & bobby pins
- Hairspray
- Snack & non fizzy drink (water ideally)
- Packed tea & non fizzy drink (water ideally)
- Don’t bring any valuable items at all – no jewellery (which cannot be worn for the performance anyway), no phones, no iPads, no iPods etc
We appreciate this is a lot of information to digest, so please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions at all.
Thanks for your continued support. We hope you’re all looking forward to this exciting dance opportunity as much as we are.
Susan