From rags to rhythms

Over the years I have been involved in many school productions, from high school musicals to ballet school shows. I have also experienced these productions from the audience’s perspective on many more occasions.

Each piece was presented beautifully, was extremely well-rehearsed and a joy to watch

When the big night arrives, the excitement is tremendous, nerves are high and backstage is generally full of giggly girls all waiting with butterflies for the moment the curtains open. It’s no easy task getting your students in order and ready for the big event, and yes, it is certainly big for them.

After all, this is an opportunity to show off all their hard work to family and friends, a chance to feel like a star. This usually comes with a certain amount of heartache and disappointment when the lead dancers are chosen; there can only be one Cinderella after all.

I recently attended a school show at St Agatha’s Auditorium, presented by Creative Dance Studio. It was entitled Rags & Rhythms, and I had inside information that they were going to tackle one of my favourite ballets, Cinderella.

To accommodate the amount of students in the school, principal Clarissa Borg chose to present an edited version of the two-act ballet, and used music other than that from the original score by Prokofiev to create extra, child-friendly roles.

We saw mice, bird, maids, fairies from all four seasons, clock elves and fairy princesses to aid the Fairy Godmother along with a very lovely Cinderella, two rather wicked (but not so ugly) stepsisters and, of course, the evil stepmother.

Each piece was presented beautifully, was extremely well-rehearsed and a joy to watch. Something that stood out was the musicality of these dancers, young and old.

They danced to the music, they heard every instrument and moved perfectly in sync.

The choreography was well chosen with the dancers in mind and highly appropriate for the standard of each group. Nothing was so short that you’d miss seeing your own child if you blinked, nor was anything too long that you found yourself looking at your watch.

One thing that was literally jumping off the stage was the energy and passion these young dancers have for their art. They had a unity you rarely see in a school show from such a young age.

As always, there was a variety of ages, shapes, sizes and abilities but they worked as one team from beginning to end to make sure Cinderella’s dreams came true. After the short interval, the older students had an opportunity to showcase their talents in contemporary and jazz.

It was a short section of only five pieces, but well worth including in the evening. Sandra Mifsud created some beautiful pieces for the contemporary students, again tailored well to suit their talents and well rehearsed to show that unity.

Jazz teacher Diane Portelli went for something a little different for her students and I’m not sure how well it was received by everyone in the audience, but I thoroughly enjoyed the piece.

The lighting designs, created specifically by dance specialist Kathrina Farrugia, furthered the dimension of these choreographic voices.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this performance. From the very tiny tots to the senior members of the school, to costumes, props and stage management, it was evidently a blast for everyone involved.

Clearly the teachers at this school are doing a fantastic job of nurturing their students in the art form with respect and love for what they’re doing. A huge well done to Clarissa and her team; I’m looking forward to the next one.