Students present super-charged show of dancing inspired by movies

The Henley College presents A Night at the Movies!
Kenton Theatre
Friday, June 28

THE theme for this year’s Henley College dance show was songs from the movies. With a programme of 39 performances, involving more than 30 dancers, A Night at the Movies! was a marvel of co-ordination from director Victoria Harley.

The variety of the show was signalled from the opening numbers. The first piece was a group response to the well-known theme from the James Bond movies.

The dancers, all in black and white, conveyed the suave, almost sinister mood of the Bond films. Next up, in sharp contrast, came Tayia Fernandes and Jess Holtham in a sinuous and lyrical duet.

My favourite pieces from the first act included the group response to Harry Potter, delivered by an accomplished corps de ballet.

Charlotte Morgan gave a sassy, sequined solo inspired by The Devil Wears Prada. The year 2 dance students offered a lively and swashbuckling homage to Pirates of the Caribbean and the final pacy, group piece, “Newsies”, took us to the hustle and bustle of a New York newsroom.

The second act was equally varied and dynamic. Freya Cleeton and Flo Wakely were poised and limber in their response to The Great Gatsby. Billy Bowerman and Sonny Hardstaff gave a confident performance taken from A Chorus Line.

Cora Whitehouse-Lloyd, Bebe Martin and Simran Dhillon demonstrated great teamwork in their quirky take on Home Alone. Jayden Denton and Bebe Martin danced energetically to You Never Can Tell from Pulp Fiction.

The year 1 dance students made a powerful response to the apocalyptic Bird Box.

The grand finale, featuring more than 20 dancers, conjured up the shiny pink world of Barbie and Ken.

Well done to everyone involved in this super-charged show; there was never a dull moment.

Susan Creed