"We have now been to several shows staged by The Creative Dance Company and never have we left one feeling anything other than the fact we had seen a thoroughly professional and entertaining performance. One Night Only was no exception, the only difference being that this show was put on as a benefit evening in support of Francesca Whiffin, a previous Creative member, now a Degree Student at The Arts Education School London. The cast was, in turn, supplemented by half a dozen of Francesca's current class colleagues, whose professional training showed through, but they were matched in quality, if not maturity, by the younger Creative children.
The show opened with a group of youngsters aged around 9/12 who entered with enthusiasm and vitality, broad smiles over their faces, moving with speed and grace and never putting a foot wrong in a fast moving complicated routine. This was followed by a rendition of All That Jazz by the senior girls that could have come straight off the West End stage.
This set the mood of the show which proceeded with pace, colour and grace as each individual performer or group produced performances of which any professional company would have been proud of. Inevitably, some were more powerful than others, but it would be invidious to single out any one as they all contributed equally to a great evening's entertainment.
Nearing the end of the show Jess Robinson treated us to a superb rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, demonstrating why she reached the final 4 in Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's BBC 1 Television show.
Jamie McDonald led on the final number with some beautiful graceful dancing which led into a group routine based on the Irish Riverdance. With the girls twirling and whirling in intricate patterns, hands by their sides and legs rhythmically tapping away they were so beautifully in unison that it could have been 14 computer copies of the one girl. Brilliant!
Interspersed with the dancing were some choral performances led by the Musical Director Judith Colman which proved that these girls and boys could sing as well as they danced.
The show was fast moving with compelling foot tapping music and remarkably colourful with a minimum of costuming. All in all a wonderful evening's entertainment and we wish Francesca all the luck in the world in her pursuit of a professional career.
"
Maurice and Rita Wilkins
"TAKE about a hundred youngsters ranging in age from five years to 18, a recipe for disaster? No way. Certainly not if the concerts by the Creative Dance Company in the Queen's Hall Theatre, Cranbrook over the weekend of September 28th and 29th, was anything to go by.
The programme of song and dance was well varied. The movement ranged from modern, contemporary, tap and ballet to an astonishingly versatile gymnastics group. It was all very well balanced with all including the youngest taken up to but not beyond their capabilities. It was a privilege to be present."
The Tunbridge Wells Courier
"The smell of greasepaint and the roar of the crowd will greet youngsters from a Cranbrook based dance company who will be performing on the West End stage.
Children from the Creative Dance Company have been chosen to take part in the Young Performers 'Variety Show at Her Majesty's Theatre on Sunday."
Kent Messenger
"UNTIL now, the young members of the Creative Dance Company have kept their lights very much hidden under a bushel.
For two years in succession they have put on a stage show in Cranbrook - but with their audience limited to family and friends.
When they finally did decide to go public, they went public in a big way... bringing Cranbrook High Street to a halt on Saturday as 100 of them paraded through the town in full costume."
Kent Messenger
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