YOU CAN’T SPELL GUIDANCE WITHOUT DANCE – By Chris Horsey

The amount of dance related television shows around the world is on the increase. I arrived home in Australia just a few weeks ago having been invited to appear as a special guest performer on a British based dance competition for television, ‘Got To Dance’ for Sky1 UK. I choreographed and tapped with Adam Garcia, one of the judges on Got To Dance. The other 2 judges are Ashley Banjo from hip-hop crew Diversity who won Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 and Pussycat Doll, Kimberly Wyatt. The major difference between SYTYCD format and that of Sky1’s new dance offering Got To Dance is that everyone gets a go. The contestants are dancers of all ages and all genres. For instance, the contestants that I saw ranged from a group of classical performers aged between 5 and 15 yrs, to an all girl hip hop crew of teenagers competing against a male and female Irish tapping couple, to an 8 yr old break dancer. The latter, by the name of Akai won the season final BTW. The 2nd and most interesting difference between the two formats is the fact that the judges on Got To Dance all performed. Every competition needs a judge, wouldn’t it be nice to see them perform and show us how it’s done, particularly after the opinion and suggestions offered? Remember, you can’t spell guidance without dance. Got To Dance is on Sundays @ 6.30pm on Fox 8.
One of the most important events to hit Sydney this century is the inaugural The Sydney Fringe. From September 10 – 26 the theatres and streets of the Newtown, Marrickville and Enmore areas will play host to what is shaping up to be a rich underground event. Fringe festivals worldwide are the incubation of emerging artists and projects. Often obscure and pushing the boundaries of entertainment, most are simple in nature and most importantly interesting. I had the pleasure to choreograph and perform at the Edinburgh (Fringe) Festival in 1999 and it was a hive of activity. I witnessed performances as far ranging as; one of the first hip-hop shows to be theatrically produced (this was cutting edge at the time and now look at the scene); a robot dog comedy act; Lady Salsa, high energy Cuban dance show; the entire cast of The Simpsons sitting on a stage reading a never before aired script. To find out more and check out how to submit your idea for a dance act, visit thesydneyfringe.com.au
The Production Company is entering its 12th year. What this company does for musical theatre in this country cannot be matched and is a valuable asset to the Australian entertainment industry. For years TPC has produced short seasons of shows that otherwise would never have seen the light of day in this country. They have made available an opportunity for singers, dancers, actors and the many combinations therein, to perform roles they would never had the occasion to do so otherwise. The Production Company has announced it’s season for 2010, with another great 3 shows. They will include The King And I starring Juan Jackson (Miss Saigon) as the King and Chelsea Gibb (Chicago – The Musical) as Anna. Second on the menu is The Boy From Oz and reprising his starring role is the man himself, Todd McKenney, followed by the third instalment from TPC, Sugar based on the film Some Like It Hot, this production will star Mitchel Butel (Avenue Q), Matt Heatherington and Christie Whelan (The Drowsy Chaperone) who will play the Marilyn Munroe character. Yours truly is choreographing. If you have never seen a Production Company show, this is a must. If you have aspirations of joining the company as a performer check out their website theproductioncompany.com.au for audition dates.
Chris Horsey can be heard every week from 9.30am as he presents Arts Friday on Eastside Radio 89.7fm
– is on the artistic advisory committee for The Sydney Fringe
– is artistic director of Tapworks – www.tapworks.com.au