'To The Point', created as part of the "aDvANCE" project, in which Year 10 White Lodge students danced alongside non vocational students of Dagenham Park School, opened the first act. The students used the geometrical basis of classical ballet as a stimulus for their own movement material, working over a period of three months to choreograph the piece, under the tutelage of renowned choreographer Bim Malcomson. Some students of Dagenham Park School had never studied ballet before, yet in the neoclassical choreography it was, at times, impossible to distinguish between them and the White Lodge students. Dressed in identical costumes, of vivid orange t-shirts with a red waistband and dark green skirts for the girls or trousers for the boys, each dancer radiated confidence and passion, effortlessly tackling complex formations and unique, stylised movements, with an energetic running motif not dissimilar to that of the Haka dance!! Despite the modern, unique choreography, the music used was the epitome of classicism; excerpts from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. Spellbinding in its own right, the symmetry and precision of the young performers delighted the audience; such simple steps as running, walking- or one young girl "swimming" across the stage on her back- performed with immaculate timing, spectacularly showcased the unique stories and achievements of every young dancer involved, in what for some, no doubt, will have been a life changing process.
The naturalistic set, which stayed the same throughout, with beige columns framing an arched doorway, was cleverly appropriate for each piece, akin to the castle entrance hall of Swan Lake, yet also depicting a grand ballroom suited to national dances, such as the year 7 students' energetic Krakoviak, choreographed by Tania Fairbairn.
The outdoor theatre resembled a particularly sophisticated tent; natural light streamed into the auditorium, eliminating any need for bright stage lights or spotlights.
Sir Peter Wright visited White Lodge, to set his Swan Lake act 1 pas de trois, alongside Galina Samsova, after Marius Petipa. The piece, which could easily have been mistaken for the work of a professional company, was danced with style and maturity by Year 11 students Madison Bailey and Ginerva Zambon, alongside Year 10 student Daichi Ikarashi. Wearing red velour tutus, both ladies demonstrated confident, strong pointework, with a pleasing sense of poise and focus. Ginerva Zambon's solo was delightfully springy, with sophisticated epaulement and effortless grace, although her temps de flèche seemed to lack ballon.
The true star of the show though, was young Japanese dancer Daichi Ikarashi, who tackled his challenging solo and coda with vivacity, captivating the audience with his confident quadruple pirouettes and spellbinding multiple tours en l'air. His flawless technique, with careful partnering in the adagio, was highlighted by a heartwarming sense of passion, personality and performance quality that radiated to the back of the auditorium and beyond.
A bright array of national dances, encompassing Irish, Scottish, Spanish, Russian and Polish styles, showcased the rhythm, dynamic quality and flair of each unique year group.
Although the performance was predominantly comprised of White Lodge students, some Upper School students also danced; after the interval, Kaho Yanagisawa and Francisco Serrano performed Ashton's Rhapsody pas de deux, set to Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Sergei Rachmaninov. Japanese graduate year student Yanagisawa, who won a Prix de Lausanne scholarship to the school in 2013, will shortly commence her first contract, with the Royal Swedish Ballet whereas Serrano will join the Royal Ballet next season alongside six other graduates, as apprentices on the Aud Jebsen Young Dancers programme.
Dressed simply in a yellow leotard with Romantic length skirt for Yanagisawa and plain yellow unitard for Serrano, both dancers showed grace and style, maintaining perfect composure throughout the sophisticated pas de deux. Yanagisawa floated effortlessly through the air, as Serrano excelled in executing complex lifts, showing not only artistic talent but also emotional connection, moving as one, like an autumn leaf twirling in a delicate breeze. Yanagisawa's stellar arabesque line and elegant upper body complemented Serrano's strength, making the piece a joy to watch, and no doubt inspiring the many young dancers hoping to follow in their footsteps.
Act 2 was concluded with Liam Scarlett's Allegro de Jeunesse, set to Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto no.3, a vibrant celebration of youth, passion and individuality. Throughout the performance, every single student shone, radiating vitality and the promise of glittering futures, which no doubt will see them venturing into companies in Britain and beyond.
