Dancezone perform to record crowds

Due to the age of my children I have had the pleasure of watching the progress of Dancezone Stage School from the early days in the Girls National School, Moate Community Centre, the Dean Crowe, the Carmelite Pastoral Centre and their current home in Moate Community School. This was the biggest crowd I can recall for an opening night and I hear that all nights attracted similar numbers. Year on year the bar is raised, the question is asked before every new show, can it surpass the previous year? Inevitably it does. I feel like I am repeating myself and if I am, I do not apologise because the dancers and performers deserve to hear it. The setting is the best that it can be. A team that are together for over 20 years have moved to a level that would grace any professional theatre, like all good teams the hardcore is there with new members adding a freshness and energy that infuses the resident leaders and keeps a freshness to the extraordinary level of organisation that chronicles the location of every bulb, every screw, every item of the stage equipment until it is returned to storage and held for the next production. The side panels have changed, the new lights represent the gradual progression that we now look for. The faultless sound that we take for granted, the specially-commissioned backing tracks, the coordination of light and sound, so precise that it no longer registers with us, we do not notice how good it is, everything is taken for granted. The costumes, gathered over the years with additions and alterations, glitter and style, enough to leave one veteran of many thespian productions staggered at their vibrancy and quality. The foundations in place, the performers were not found wanting, a few hiccups on opening night were ironed out to such an extent that the final night was almost faultless. I say almost, only because I know Sandra Julian will always ask for more, not because I spotted any obvious error. The wonderful progression from the darling bumblebees to the Thumbelina ladies, the young girl with the wild Amazonian look and a screech to match, the gentle and elegant ribbon dance, the high energy of the High School Musical crew, to the eyecatching ladies with their hot pants and dark glasses as they gyrated through the James Bond scene. The great enthusiasm with which the cops and robbers slagged off the men with their "two left feet" and the dreaded question "Does he wash up?" The response to the hip swinging Tina Turner almost brought the house down as Sandra fed off the audience reaction and beamed her way through the number. Even some members of the cast were unaware that Sandra Julian was going to appear as Tina, a gamble that paid off in a big way. Other highlights for me included Paddy Rabbitte as Elvis, Greg Traynor had better watch out, the Midlands has unearthed another man who can get All Shook Up! Mac the knife was delivered with panache by Luke from Athlone, this is one that is difficult because the audience expect to hear Frank Sinatra every time the song is performed but Luke certainly delivered on the night. Karen McCarthy is a lady who we have watched as her performances have developed over the years and it is no surprise to hear that she is a candidate for further recognition on the professional stage. The energy of the Ferbane ladies who have become such an important part of the show as they strutted their stuff in a hip hop number that certainly impressed the audience around me was something to remember. I loved the Legends and the lighting which was made specifically for this show will be remembered by all who were there. This production continues to set a standard for others to aspire to. The whole operation is now a massive undertaking with truckloads of equipment, a stage constructed from scratch, a production team that have a wealth of experience and most importantly a massively talented group of dancers who have reached a level that continues to open doors wherever they perform. Well done to all concerned.