Artistic masterpieces on display at Dance Show
The annual SGS Dance Show saw pupils take inspiration from classical art from across the ages as they took to the stage.
With dances inspired by pieces ranging from cave paintings and Greek sculpture to impressionism and pop art, the audience were taken on a journey through time and style.
The show opened with a performance from our Boys Only Dance Club who performed to the theme from the TV show ‘The Mandalorian’. They depicted the cave paintings with a dance choreographed by visiting dance teacher Cameron Woolnough.
The show was split into themes, and the second theme was ‘Monsters and Angels’. During this part of the show, dances inspired by artists such as Edvard Munch and Raphael were featured.
Lower Sixth pupil Rosie Moore choreographed a solo which was inspired by Edvard Munch’s 1893 painting ‘The Scream’.
Upper Sixth performer Penny Horsford performed a beautiful contemporary dance which was inspired by American painter Abbott Henderson Thayer’s 1903 work ‘The Stevenson Memorial’ and was set to Billie Eilish’s ‘Goldwing’.
As the show progressed, the pieces moved to reflect art inspired by ‘History and War’. Fifth Years Isobel Carter and Alice Mills represented the French Revolution, Jess Wiggetts portrayed the execution of the Nine Day Queen, Lady Jane Grey, and Raphael Leong gave an upbeat performance to a song by KPop band, Stray Kids.
The third section focused on ‘Dance and Music’ and saw two dances inspired by French Impressionist Edgar Degas. Degas was famous for painting ballerinas in rehearsal at the end of the 19th Century.
Representing Degas’ famous sculpture ‘Little Dancer of Fourteen Years’, Gaby Di Gennaro performed a beautiful ballet solo to a piece by composer Edward Elgar.
Upper Sixth Former Bea Downing created many of the costumes for the show, including tutus for the dancers of the Lower School Ballet and Lyrical Club who performed to a piece from the ballet ‘Giselle’.
Sisters Anjali and Arya Abraham performed a touching dance set to Billy Joel’s ‘Vienna’ which represented Renoir’s ‘Two Young Girls At The Piano’.
The first half came to a colourful conclusion with an upbeat performance of the cancan before the audience enjoyed drinks in the Edmonds Café.
The second half focused on modern art and kicked off with Second Year Lyrical and Modern Dance Club who performed a piece which was choreographed by Fifth Year Phoebe Fox.
Third Year Contemporary Club performed a beautiful dance to represent ‘Starry Night’ by Vincent Van Gogh and Contemporary Masterclass Club represented the famous painting ‘Sunflowers’.
Pop Art was up next with First Year Dance Club performing as Andy Warhol’s famous ‘Campbell’s Soup Cans’ while dancing to Jamiroquai’s song ‘Canned Heart’.
The Boys Only Dance Club closed out the show and gave an upbeat performance to ‘So Familia’ by Commodo which represented graffiti artist Banksy.
Parent Bernadette Lomas, whose daughter took part in the show, said: “This was my daughter’s first dance show at school, and we were so impressed with the standard and quality of the dancing across the years.
“I’m so impressed with the ethos around the boys dance. It’s so important not just for the boys involved to be able to access this art form, but for it to be normalised for all the children at school that boys express themselves through dance.
“My husband and I are constantly impressed with SGS in so many areas, and clearly dancing is yet another aspect of extra-curricular life which is excelling, particularly in valuing and fostering such an inclusive and nurturing environment.”
