News

On Sunday 21 May, a feast of dance styles will come together as young people from across East London and Essex showcase their talents in the Queen’s Theatre’s annual dance festival, First Feat. It is a fantastic festival of creativity enabling local dance groups aged 11 – 19 from different backgrounds with varying styles and interests to be united by a passion for dance. Audiences will see 13 dynamic performances from Essex Dance Theatre, Hotsteps Dance, Apogee Stars Stage School, Lose Control, Beverly Marks Stage School, East London Youth Dance Company, Jam Company and the Queen’s Theatre’s very own youth dance company, QDance. Now in its 19^th year, First Feat has been a major platform for celebrating local talent, involving thousands of young people over the years. Hosting this year’s event is choreographer and dancer for Boy Blue Entertainment, Tyrone Isaac-Stuart. He says, ‘You should come to First Feat and realise that it’s not impossible to want to dance. Be inspired, challenged and entertained. You’ll see some great performers and support dancers at all levels and abilities. Movement should reflect cultural diversity and seeing the youth perform (and their approach to dance) is really exciting. There are so many types of dance being showcased and it’s hard to find that variety being presented elsewhere. Opportunities and events like this don’t happen frequently enough in the dance world and certainly not at this level and quality – it’s a great performance space being shared by some fantastic groups.’ Young people aged 12 – 18 inspired by the event can develop their dance technique in a variety of styles by joining the theatre’s QDance company from September. For more information email learning@queens-theatre.co.uk First Feat runs at the Queen’s Theatre on Sunday 21 May at 7pm. Tickets are £7.50 and can be purchased by calling the Box Office on 01708 443333, in person at the theatre or online at https://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/whats-on/show/first-feat-2017/