Reviews

U Dance – North West (Salford)

Youth Dance England presents two evenings of dance from young people  aged between 11 and 19. The performers come from schools, colleges and dance groups from across the North West. Some of the performances have also applied to enter the U Dance 2012.

Not all the dancers are at professional level and many of the groups consist of very mixed abilities. However, the aim of the event is to give these dancers an opportunity to perform on a stage. Ten dance groups performed, and a few were particularly memorable.

Integr8 comprising of dancers with and without disabilities from Lancashire had created a dance called Jigsaw. It worked well in partnering the dancers with and without disability so that they mirrored one another. It shows how dance can be used educationally to improve confidence.

Also very interesting is the Chorley and District Boys Dance Company, which was formed to allow boys to develop contemporary dance in a male orientated group. With so few boys in the other performances the company clearly fills a void.

The final piece from the Cumbria Youth Dance Company choreographed by Robert Guy to a song by Ben Howard left the audience smiling, with its recreation of the carefree days of summer.

The second evening of U.Dance North West features a different selection of dance groups. The programme also runs in Nottingham tonight.

– Joanna Ing

(Reviewed at the Lowry)