THE Nelson Mandela Bay Dance Festival is set to celebrate in style for its 44th year at the Savoy Theatre from 25 to 30 August.
The longest-running dance festival in the region will be hosting 26 Eastern Cape and Southern Cape dance studios with almost 800 dancers performing.
Ash Searle, an acclaimed dancer, choreographer and educator, will be this year’s adjudicator.
The gala evening will feature local powerhouse, Darren Rockman, as the MC. Rockman, who is a triple threat graduate of the Waterfront Theatre School, has worked in TV and film, creating a children’s educational series called Brain Train for BLC Entertainment, directed music videos and performed at various corporate and community events. He believes that sowing back into the community is written in his life’s purpose.
Rockman is currently teaching dance, drama and musical theatre at Nicki Ray’s Academy of Performing Arts, Toynbee Ballet Academy and at the Robin Williams Drama Academy.
A highlight of the gala evening will include guest performances from the cast of Annie which will be staged in September and October at the Savoy by acclaimed director Robin Williams.
“This is a real full circle moment for me,” said Williams. “Annie was the first West End show I ever saw. I went on to play Grace Farrell in 1985 and 1995. I also played Miss Hannigan whilst my late husband, Alan, played Daddy Warbucks in both productions. Alan passed away last year and what a special honour it is to be directing this, one of his favourite musicals.”
Daily tickets for the festival will be available at the door, and the gala performance of all championship winners and adjudicators’ choices will take place on Saturday, 30 August. Tickets are available through Webtickets.
