BCDC Invitation Day 2008
Sunday 28th September 2008 : The Rivoli Ballroom
Thanks for this prompt report by Norma Leigh Lucid
Match Report
The Rivoli Ballroom, the setting for the first ten-dance competition of the 2008/2009 dance season. It was an early start for some of the couples relative to the recent Supadance matches. Doors opened at 9am, and with nearly twice as many tickets sold as normal there was a mad dash for seats. Everyone knows the importance of having a seat which is easy to get in and out of, wont get blocked by the periodic parent on a tea run, and which will give a great view of the spectacular show to be presented later in the afternoon. By 9:30, all the competitors and supporters and entrenched themselves for the day. Barricades and outposts were erected by piling up the dress bags and make up boxes, drinks and snacks securely stored to prevent them being sat upon, and the air is filled with the smell of hair spray. The veteran parents are prepared by this stage, they have their cups of tea and a plate of sandwiches, and where possible are grabbing a few minutes nap in the lull before the storm.
The first events of the day were the medallist competitions, where only one person in the partnership gets marked. Starting with the under 8's we gradually worked our way through to the over 40's using the event as a warm up and practice run for the couples competitions to follow later in the morning. Anyone who has been to the Rivoli Ballroom will know that whereas some dance floors are long, some are short, some are square, some are round, this one is best described as a dual carriageway. Any choreographer only needs to put together two sides of a room because the 'short' sides are non existent. No sooner do you complete the first length, when you do a sharp U-turn and you are on the next length, on your way back. Such a landscape introduces an element to floorcraft which many partners never get the opportunity to prepare for. This is where Paula and Gilli, in their wisdom had given their competitors the advantage. The incredibly popular Thursday classes had trained the partners in the rare technique of completing an entire routine on the top of a match box. Wright Rhythm couples were thus able to duck and dive through the throngs of interlocking legs and arms to emerge unscathed and with an open empty floor ahead of them. Their dancers safe in the knowledge that they could perform without fear of being sideswiped or blocked in, could then go on to put on a show.
Charlie stormed his way into the finals in the 9 to 11 age group. Carys achieved a similar feat in the 12 to 13's. Despite some initial apprehension at competing against some unfamiliar faces, they both displayed the professional attitude which comes from years of experience, and managed to produce a slick performance round after round. In the older age groups, we saw Rob and Howard dance their way into the finals proving that Wright Rhythm not only have the technique to dance competently, but also the expression and musicality to put on an entertaining show.
Turning to the adult age group we had all the familiar faces, the familiar rivalries, the typical banter and an ever increasing standard of dancing. The category with perhaps the most movement, dancing the rhythm which covers the most floor, on what felt like a shrinking space; this is where floorcraft would be put to the ultimate test. There may have been the odd bump, and a few sudden alterations to routines as couples slipped past each other, but never did a dancer let on that anything was otherwise than it was always intended. Here the dancer who pulled in the result for the school, our most recent recruit to the team, Alex, proved she was not only a class dancer, but also that she was laying down the challenge to the rest of the team - none of the preconceived rankings were safe.
12pm and the couples events commence. Time for bruised egos to be mended, and boosted egos to repeat themselves. The highlight of these events must be the four dance event. Who can claim to be the best overall couple? Now normally we would make mention of some particularly outstanding couple, but at this competition noone was going to let any other couple take the centre stage. The floor didnt belong to any one couple. This was a fight to the finish. It was however the families and friends who cheered and supported throughout the rounds, and especially the finals, that I think deserve a mention. Anyone who has danced a four-dance final knows how drained you start to feel halfway through the third rhythm, and the thought of a fourth to come makes your heart go into overdrive. The cheering and support from the sidelines makes the difference. You feel as though it is not just two of you competing, you have the energy of every person shouting and clapping, carrying you through that last highspeed dance.
By now we were well into the afternoon and the ballroom air was was thick and heavy. It was appropriate time for the competitors to take a break, grab a drink and a snack, and to sit back and enjoy a show by one of Britains top ballroom professionals, Jonathan Crossley and Lyn Mariner. We were treated to a quickstep, a waltz and effectively two foxtrots. This skilled couple glided across the floor with apparently no effort. However, in their persuit for perfection they were entirely unsatisfied with the outcome and therefore decided to give us a second demonstration. If anyone from the audience were questioned about the show, I doubt if anyone could have described it as anything other than flawless though. Here was a perfect demonstration of how to perform when things go wrong. As far as we were concerned this routine was delivered as was always intended.
Time for the latin competitions, and the programme of the morning is repeated again with everyone revealing a bit more leg and chest than was on display at 9am in the morning. Once again Charlie, Carys, Rob, Howard, etc confirmed an equal talent for shaking their hips as for heel turns and oversways. In the adult section Jemma was the only one to make the final and as such made a performance fitting not only of a finalist dancer, but also of a representative of the school.
By the time we reached the latin couples events it was the Under-16s who displayed their superiority, reaching many more finals than the Over-16s could manage. Based on the performance at the last Supadance match, I would say the school as a whole has raised the standard, but it remains a challenge to the Over-16's to prove they have what it takes to match the success of their Junior team-mates in the latin disciplines.
6pm, the day drew to a close and everyone frantically changed back into normal clothes, parents scurried around to dismantle their encampments and we all made our way to the cars discussing the results of the day. Everyone will have slept soundly that Sunday night.
Photos