Exeter students to perform on West End stage

Students from the full time BTEC Dance course at Exeter College have been selected by Rambert Dance Company to perform at a national showcase at The Peacock Theatre in London’s West End.

The showcase will be held on Tuesday 28 June and is the final event of Rambert Elements, a nationwide choreography challenge for schools and colleges that has been taking place throughout the 2015/16 academic year.

Over 70 school and college groups from across the UK applied to take part in Rambert Elements. A total of 36 groups were then selected to take part in the project, which has raised the profile of choreography in schools and colleges and provided performance opportunities across the country.

Over the past three months all 36 groups have taken part in regional showcases held in London, Norwich, Nottingham, Plymouth and Salford, which were attended by representatives from Rambert. Each group choreographed and performed their own short work using music, themes, and creative tasks given to them by choreographers associated with Rambert; Mark Baldwin, Aletta Collins, and Alexander Whitley.

Joce Giles, Rambert’s Director of Creative Projects said: “The standard of the performances by all groups was exceptionally high and it has been an inspiring experience to see the creativity and talent that exists within schools and colleges throughout the country.”

Exeter College were selected after performing at Theatre Royal’s TR2 in Plymouth.

Dance lecturer Emma Wyke said: “To have the opportunity to dance and learn from Alexander Whitley’s creative process has been an essential part of our students enhanced learning, and has contributed immensely to the development of their own choreographic work.  There can be no higher commendation for the students than to reach the final stage of the Rambert Elements Showcase.”

The six schools selected to perform at the final Rambert Elements showcase are: Dame Allan’s School (Newcastle), Dereham Neatherd High School (Norfolk), Exeter College, Glasgow Clyde College, Lewisham Southwark College, and Stratford upon Avon College.