Singer Pixie Lott is set to join the Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers in the show, Puttin’ On The Ritz. The young pop star will star in the show, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and George Gershwin, opening at the New Wimbledon Theatre.
Pixie will be reunited with her Strictly Come Dancing partner Trent Whiddon, as per when she recently competed on the show, and the pair will be joined by other Strictly Come Dancing professionals Robin Windsor and Kristina Rihanoff. Puttin’ On The Ritz will open at the New Wimbledon Theatre in May this year. Puttin’ On The Ritz is also visiting venues including Theatre Royal Newcastle, from 2-6 June 2015.
Having Pixie join the cast is another example of producers both cashing in on recent TV success, as well as the current stature of its stars. There is no denying the talent of these stars, however they too are set to benefit for transferring their work to the stage in terms of both PR and cash. A non-household name starring in the same role would not receive the same coverage or assets unfortunately, yet it is also arguable they would perhaps not achieve so many seats filled in the auditorium.
The show, which features the songs of Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Cole Porter, including the title number, “Cheek to Cheek”, “Night and Day” and “I Got Rhythm”, will then head out on tour, with Pixie Lott performing in Wimbledon from 27-30 May. Pixie Lott is most commonly known as a singer and songwriter, with singles including “Boys and Girls” and “All About Tonight”. She reached the quarter final of 2014’s Strictly Come Dancing with her professional partner Trent Whiddon.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
The Guardian’s dance critic Judith Mackrell – following a Rambert performance late last year – asked if choreographers needed editors. Sometimes it is a common view, other times not so much, that dance work might benefit from an external eye cast over it to ensure it is succinct and comprehensive. This view may smart with some dance creators, however it seems necessary in order to create the best work possible for the future.
Stephen Quildan was born in London and trained at the BRIT School, later Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. He has performed with English National Ballet (Romeo & Juliet) at the Royal Albert Hall and Peter Schaufuss Balletten (Nøddebo Præstegård), Danish tour. Whilst at Rambert he performed in August Bournonville’s ‘Napoli’ and an excerpt from Peter Darrell’s ‘Nutcracker’. Stephen has also worked with contemporary choreographers such as Mark Baldwin (Rite of Spring) and Darren Ellis. Stephen also has performed his own work in Poland and the UK. He soon will be dancing lead roles in Pineapple Poll and Carnival of the Animals for The Chelmsford Ballet Company.
Northern Ballet, one of the five major companies in the UK, is returning to London’s Sadler’s Wells with its smash hit, sell-out production of The Great Gatsby from 24–28 March. Based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year – as well as referencing the box office hit film of the same name – Northern Ballet brings both the glamour and seduction of the roaring twenties to the stage.
The iconic Tate Modern is to become a museum of dance for 48 hours as 75 performers take over the gallery spaces for displays and workshops, and the Turbine Hall is transformed into a nightclub, planned by French choreographer Boris Charmatz. The May project will feature performances ranging from ballet to krump as well as works by the renowned Charmatz himself.
A special exhibition celebrating 40 years of theatre on Broadway and the West End is to run in both New York and London. Provisionally called Curtain Up!, the exhibition is timed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Olivier Awards in 2016, and will showcase past winners of the awards in the ultimate celebration of theatre and the arts in the two cities.
The National Youth Dance Company will present a world premiere at its Sadler’s Wells home on 10 April, choreographed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, this year’s Guest Artistic Director. NYDC will return for its third year with a new intake of 30 talented dancers who join eight returners from the previous cohorts. Cherkaoui is one of the most prolific choreographers working today: he is one of Europe’s most exciting choreographers.
Dancing barefoot for modern or contemporary dance doesn’t come without its pitfalls – ballet dancers certainly suffer but that’s not to say contemporary dancers don’t too! Many dancers opt for socks, or their costume may demand them to be worn, however to fully feel the floor beneath you – and to move in response to that – requires barefoot dance. Despite this, dancers may still encounter problems along the way.
When new musicals hit London’s West End in particular, there is often a sense of excitement and anticipation, but possibly now one of cynicism too. How long will it last? What will the audience and box office figures be like? Following such a barrage of shows opening and closing within the same year throughout 2014, it is no wonder these questions are now largely conscious in theatrical minds. Only recently was it announced that the hearty – and seemingly successful – Made in Dagenham was set to close its doors, and the reaction was rather subdued, even expectant.
As a much loved Christmas classic, ELF the Musical will open at the Dominion Theatre on 24 October, for a strictly limited 10 week season. Following the sold-out UK and Ireland premieres in Plymouth and Dublin in December 2014, ELF the musical will receive its London premiere this autumn, with the run ending on 2 January 2016. What began as a mandatory Christmas film to watch with the family could now become a smash hit!