There’s no prouder moment as a parent or grandparent than watching your little one enjoying doing something that they love. And for the parents of children at eight local dance schools that moment came on 26 November with the Western Association of Ballet Schools’ production of Wish Upon A Star.
The show took place in the grand setting of Bournemouth’s Pavilion Theatre, a showcase of tap, ballet and contemporary dance numbers in tribute to some of the students’ favourite stars.
WABS often stages performances at many of the town’s theatres including the Barrington Theatre in Ferndown and the Layard Theatre at Canford School and often took to the giant auditorium at Bournemouth’s historic Winter Gardens, which stood in the heart of the town until 2002.
Ballet star Wayne Sleep OBE is president of the company, which offers a grant scheme to assist students with places at summer schools and accredited courses. Schools currently affiliated with WABS are: Academy of Dance, Hollywood Dance Academy, Jane Farrell Ballet School, Rita Jenvey School of Dancing, Spotlight School of Dancing, Wessex School of Dancing, First Position School of Dance and Lawlor School of Dance.