"Variations
En Manège"
&
" The Pearl"
2004 Show
Saturday October 30th & Sunday
October 31st
at Centrestage Theatre, Orewa.
This year the
show was bigger than ever and we needed to perform it three times to cater
for the increasing audience numbers.
We had another
varied and interesting programme which highlighted the many different
styles of dance now offered at the school. We included pure classical
ballet, contemporary dance and jazz and of course we had a lovely family
ballet story which enthralled and entertained even the youngest audience
member.
Village Dance
This technically demanding
and lively classical ballet was performed by senior ballet students.
The Pearl
An exciting and dramatic ballet
story featuring heroines and villains this ballet was enthusiastically
performed by our young ballet students with help from some of the seniors.
Featuring beautiful mermaids, nasty stingrays and a huge range of other
sea creatures this ballet gave all of our young student a chance to be
part of a complete ballet story.
Four Short
Dances
Just in case you thought we
only had ballet on the programme … we entertained the audience with
some dynamic dances from our Contemporary Dance and Jazz students. Also
included was a contemporary ballet solo.
Variations
En Manège
Tutus, pointe shoes and gorgeous
classical music! This piece was especially choreographed to challenge
our more senior students.
The Pearl - The
Story
Act
One:
Some children go with their parents for a day at the seaside. They enjoy
building sandcastles, swimming and picnicking. An older Girl decides to
go for a paddle on the sea in her canoe. At first all is well but suddenly
the clouds darken and a terrible storm develops making the sea rough and
dangerous. The Girl tries desperately to paddle safely back to shore but
is thrown out of her canoe by a huge wave. She is close to drowning and
begins to sink down beneath the waves.
Suddenly
a beautiful Mermaid mysteriously appears from beneath the sea and saves
the Girl from the clutches of the sea. The Mermaid is in fact Queen of
the Mermaids and she commands the sea to become calm again and carry the
Girl safely back to the shore. The Girl is very thankful and promises
to repay the Mermaid Queen one day.
Act Two:
It is a few days later. The Mermaids are happily playing and dancing in
their glade deep beneath the surface of the sea. The Mermaid Queen leads
the other Mermaids in a joyful dance.
Suddenly a group of Stingrays appear. They are wearing strange magical
glasses, which have made them unable to live harmoniously under the sea
with the other sea creatures. They have become cruel and lazy and have
decided to capture the mermaids and make them their slaves.
The Mermaids struggle to escape
the power of the Stingrays but only the Mermaid Queen is able to get away.
The Mermaid Queen swiftly swims to the surface hoping she will find the
Girl.
Luckily the Girl is at the seashore and is delighted to see the Mermaid
Queen again. Quickly the Mermaid Queen explains what has happened beneath
the sea. She tells of a magic pearl which, if found by a worthy mortal,
has the power to break the enchantment of the glasses and make the Stingrays
see sense.
The Girl is eager to help but realizes she cannot possibly swim to the
depths of the sea without oxygen. The Mermaid Queen gives her a special
magical necklace made from oxygen weed, which will make it possible for
the Girl to breathe under water.
The two of them swim deep down beneath the sea in search of the oyster
beds. Together they meet many wonderful sea creatures who dance for them.
At last they reach the Oyster beds and the pearl is willingly loaned to
the Girl.
The Girl and the Mermaid Queen
ready themselves for battle with the Stingrays. They arrive at the Stingrays
cavern and a huge fight begins. At last the Stingrays are overwhelmed
by the magic of the pearl and the Mermaids are released.
The sea creatures join the two heroines in a huge celebration. The Stingrays
see the evil of their ways, remove the magic glasses and ask for forgiveness.
At last the undersea world is happy and harmonious.
Concept and Copyright © 2001:
Marian McDermott.
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