Lancaster University Dance Society (LUDanS) has had a fantastic first term with a number of performances, including LUSU’s Overseas event, and the Barnardo’s charity fundraiser. The society has had a number of new members across all years, with many new additions participating in the bigger competitions.
At the end of November, the team auditioned competition squads at the ‘Durham Dance Fusion’ event, taking with them seven teams including; intermediate/advanced jazz, intermediate/advanced ballet, contemporary, tap, street as well as two solo pieces. The society did well, placing in six out of their nine entries and getting off to an excellent start for the year.
Stand out performers could be seen in the ballet and jazz routines as well as a street dance performance based on a classic romantic comedy.
The intermediate ballet was choreographed by Kate Nelson and Sophie Eyles, and was awarded first place. This was equalled in the intermediate jazz which was choreographed by LUDanS President Siana French – both great achievements. The street squad performed an impressive dance based on the film Mean Girls, which was choreographed by Beth Hallet and Marco Choi being awarded second place.
Others within the society deserving of a special mention included both the advanced ballet, choreographed by Charlotte Rutherford, which proved a complex piece featuring six dancers, and also the tap which was a lively number choreographed by Jenny Tait. Both routines placed with the former placing third and the tap second. Finally, LUDanS’ contemporary piece, whilst not placing, garnered positive feedback from the judges which was choreographed by Laura Whitehouse and Vicky Wade-Matthews.
Everyone who competed at Durham did a fantastic job, demonstrating the society’s strength. With the next event taking place in Manchester on the 15th of February just after Valentine’s Day, thia strong start to the year will hopefully continue well into 2014 as the society prepares for the 50th Roses in May.
The reputed annual show of the LUDanS will take place on March the 8th and 9th, featuring dancers performing routines shown throughout the year at the events they have already taken place in. As well as the annual show, LUDanS will be collaborating with University of Lancaster Music Society (ULMS) and the University Theatre Group (LUTG) in a production of ‘The Producers’, which will be on the evenings of the 25th, 26th, 27th, and 28th of March.
President Siana French spoke highly of the society, telling SCAN: “The society had an amazing first term. We’ve had more people than ever at our new development classes, which has given loads of beginners the chance to get involve. Our competition squad have out done themselves once again. This is the best result we have ever had and so I’m really looking forward to what 2014 holds both for Comp Squad and for our 6th annual show. I’m determined to make it the best year yet!”
