Corrib Dance Academy present their seasonal classic ‘Christmas Extravaganza’, Town Hall Theatre from December 18-20 with five shows including two matinees.
On the night before Christmas, three children dream that the Ice Fairy leads them on an enchanted journey through a winter wonderland to Santa’s workshop. There, they are entertained by the elves and a divertissement of dancing toys. ‘Christmas Extravaganza’ takes the audience through a land of snowflakes and icicles, snowmen and skaters, elves and toys. Classical Ballet along with Modern Theatre, Tap and Jazz Dance styles are featured in this entertaining and seasonal treat for all the family.
A highlight of the evening is Frederick Ashton’s Les Patineurs. Les Patineurs was originally choreographed by Sir Frederick Ashton in 1937 and has been described as ‘a pure dance display of virtuosity disguised as a joyous ode to skating.’ Ashton got his idea for Les Patineurs from the graceful movements and virtuoso skills of skaters, and set them to music by Meyerbeer, itself originally written to accompany skating scenes onstage. Ashton’s choreography suggests the effortless actions of skater as they sway, glide, turn – and even fall over.
Since the Academy’s last major production, ‘Children of Lir & Movie Magic’ (2013 ), CDA students have been very busy. Over the course of four exam sessions hosted by the Academy last year, a great number of students took exams in RAD ballet and ISTD modern, with 100 per cent pass rate and many achieving merits and distinctions from Primary to Grade 8. Pre-professional exam entries were again strong with 16 CDA students traveling to Dublin to be examined during the annual RAD Vocational session.
Recently, at the YBW audition 12 CDA students were accepted into YBW for the new season against stiff competition from young dancers from across the Midlands and West of Ireland.
A number of ex-CDA students continue their full-time professional dance training at prestigious colleges across the UK and Europe; Most notably Aidan Walsh at Arts Education college in London who was recently featured on the cover of Italian Vogue and Jessica Healy just graduated from Central School of Ballet, London, and the college’s poster girl.
Orla Gaffney is studying at the college of Dance Dublin, CDA are delighted to welcome her back to perform with her friends at CDA. The Academy wishes them luck as they move into the competitive world of professional ballet.
Tickets from www.tht.ie
