Last academic year was full of
adventures, laughs and wonderful learning, including a visit to the
Royal Opera House for a family day and group trips to see ballet performances.
Our year couldn't have been better - it ended with our show 'Still Life' at the Penguin Café.
 |
| Show programme. Illustration and design by Roman Perona |
It was a blast! All our classes participated, including the beginner adults, and even mums danced to surprise their children. All students did beautifully and everyone had a wonderful time.
 |
| Fleas - Years 2&3 Advanced class |
'Still Life' at the Penguin Café - The Ballet
'Still Life' at the Penguin Café is probably one of my favourite ballets. It was created for the Royal Ballet in 1988 by David Bintley (at the time resident choreographer with the company) and features wonderful and uncommon music composed by Simon Jeffes, founder of the Penguin Café Orchestra.
This ballet raises awareness of our planet and endangered species of the animal kingdom. It is a metaphor for the salvation of animals and also of people and humanity.
 |
| Monkeys in rehearsal |
 |
| Monkeys in rehearsal |
 |
| Monkeys in rehearsal |
Our end of the year show was an inspiring and entertaining time that lured all dancers and audience into a heartened and fun atmosphere.
You can find links to original music and ballet at the end of the post.
 |
| Texan Kangaroo Rats strike a pose |
 |
| Monkeys' dance |
A Creative Show
Our show was the result of collaborative creativity between me as teacher and show director, students and parents. The dances were based on the original ballet and created with the students input. Costumes and makeup were created within given guidelines for each group, which parents and students freely explored.
In the pictures you can see the results of the costumes, while students show their character's favourite position.
 |
| Penguins - Nursery class |
 |
| Texan Kangaroo Rats - Year 1 class |
 |
| Monkeys - Reception class |
The creative costumes absolutely amazed me. Even all students being different from each other, the groups were clearly cohesive. I love to see such creativity and collaborative participation - good job mums and dads, as well as adult students!
 |
| Zebras - Adult class |
 |
| The Ark - all groups together |
Transformation With Performance
It was fantastic to see students transformation throughout the weeks towards the show. At their own levels, all students improved immensely. They got fully involved with their characters and dances and applied themselves to the maximum.
Adult students, as well as mums in their surprise dance, did particularly well for overcoming stage fright and vulnerability in a new performance environment - and it became a powerful experience.
In an adult student's words, "it was an experience of personal enrichment where I have connected with my artistic self. As a performer, I felt myself a channel of energy, it was a privilege".
 |
| Zebras in rehearsal |
 |
| Zebras in rehearsal |
 |
| Zebras in rehearsal |
Dance For All
To end the show, parents and friends and all audience of all ages and abilities, joined us on stage to dance together with one and only aim: to have fun.
This year we danced to 'Celebrate', a music ironically part of soundtrack of Penguins of Madagascar film. It was fantastic way to end, with such powerful energy - well done all!
 |
| From babies to grannies dancing together at the end of the show |
Results of a Stimulating Artistic Experience
The performance experience was extremely good for all students, whether children or adults. Our show not only helped learn about a ballet, history and repertoire and expand technical skills, but it also boosted participants' confidence and the sense of school community was empowered.
 |
| Child form Monkey's group with Mafalda |
It was a pleasure to develop such creative and stimulating artistic experience for all involved, whether children, adults, mums only, or whole families. I just love doing it, it gives me life - can't wait for next year's! I hope our show has enriched everyone's hearts as it has mine.
I look forward to the start of our new academic year!
 |
| End of Fleas' dance |
Link to original music on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/122qCupASXUMZyZSeP8qvJ
Link to original ballet by the Royal Ballet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyhEpzBLwd4
