Lancaster University Dance Society (LUDanS) recently finished a run of three performances of Third Edge, their latest show, held at the Nuffield Theatre. The show was just the latest instalment in a run of successes this year for the society.
The shows were scheduled for two nights on the last weekend of February but due to high demand an extra date was added. LUDanS Publicity Officer Jessica Robinson spoke of the popularity of the show. “We put on an extra night this year and each night was a sell-out, we even had to put out extra chairs last minute for people queuing at the door for tickets”, she said. Each night at least 150 tickets were sold.
All proceeds from the programmes went to the Lancaster and district YMCA. The campaign the money was raised for was Don’t Duck the Issue in which the YMCA are trying to resolve homelessness and to help provide healthy activities and counselling for young people. Over the three nights, after the costs of running the production were subsidised, over £100 was raised with Robinson adding “we are all very proud of its success and what we have achieved.”
This was LUDanS’ third dance production of the year, and the third year the society has put on a performance at the Nuffield Theatre. Planning for Third Edge began a couple of weeks before Christmas and rehearsals had occurred all term leading up to their three day slot beginning February 24. Members of the exec and of the society helped choreograph the dances. In total twenty four different dances were included in the massive showcase including presentations of ballet, Bollywood and contemporary dance.
Other societies helped with the production as the Hip Hop and Break Dance society performed in four of the dances. Overall, around 140 dancers were a part of Third Edge and Jess Robinson hopes LUDanS can build on its success, “each year it’s getting bigger and better.”
It wasn’t just dancers that helped put the show together. David Butler, a third year Music Technology student, worked with the lighting coordination and the lighting programme design.
LUDanS are continuing their prolific shows and success this term, with performances around St Patrick’s Day and at Campus Festival. They are also looking to entertain the crowds at some of this summer’s college Extravs, having been a big hit at many of the last year.
