This week we caught up with Claire and Sophie to hear about this year's panto and the next term of jazz dance. Read to find out more:
Eden Court has played a massive part in both my own and Claire’s career and most importantly, the building is where our friendship formed!
Claire has been in 17 pantomimes at Eden Court – as part of the junior ensemble, the senior ensemble and now as the role of choreographer for the second year running. Claire’s routines are sharp, creative and really fun to dance. The smiles you see on stage is genuine happiness from the dancers, as we love what we are doing! Claire is often the first one in the building and last one to leave during rehearsals - as she works with both the adult and children ensemble.
I started my Eden Court journey in Peter Pan as part of the junior ensemble. I then spent every Saturday in the Studio studying Higher Dance where I realized I wanted to pursue a career in dance. After my dance training in Cambridge I was lucky enough to be offered a job back at Eden Court as a freelance tutor teaching Adult Jazz dance. This class is open to anyone over 18 who would like to learn jazz technique and dance routines in a no-pressure environment. If you would like to know more check out my instagram sophied.dance where you will find clips of routines from the class.
In 2016 I was offered the part of ‘Tommy the Cat’ in Dick Whittington with Imagine Theatre. This year will mark my fourth pantomime in the senior ensemble and I am still as grateful as ever to be performing in a theatre that I love.
A typical pantomime rehearsal day starts at 10am with a warm up with Claire. From there we go straight to blocking scenes and/or learning dance routines. The junior ensemble come in at 4.30pm and we practice with them until 8pm. Rehearsals last around two weeks.
Once the show is up and running we perform in two shows a day – a matinee and an evening. In total, we do 50 shows – including two signed shows and a relaxed performance.
On show days, we enter the building at around 12pm and don’t leave until 10pm – The theatre really becomes our second home for the month! Myself, Claire and Emily (The senior ensemble girls) all share a dressing room for the run and the cast becomes your wee family for Christmas and Hogmanay.
After all the panto madness is over, I will be handing over my Adult Jazz class to Claire, as I have made the decision to move to London. I can’t think of anyone better for the job – Claire is a fabulous dancer, teacher and choreographer.
Why not try something new in January and learn from the best? Adult Jazz takes place on Wednesdays 8-9.30pm starting from the 15th January.