On a wet and windy Friday morning in March, dance students were given an unforgettable opportunity as the awesome Matthew Bourne and members of his company hosted a dance workshop. Bourne's latest work, Play Without Words, opened its national tour at the Norwich Theatre Royal. He was delighted to be hosting the first celebrity master-class at The Garage. "I think it's a wonderful new place," he told Norfolk Blast. "I think the potential of this new building is incredible and I think it's going to go from strength to strength." Matthew Bourne hoped that by working with Norwich's young dancers it would help encourage their careers. "It's always nice to try and inspire people and young people particularly. I'm aware that my story is quite an inspirational one to tell. "I did start dance very late, I was a bit directionless for a while and I don't come from a theatrical family. I come from a working class family, went to quite a rough school in East London and I ended up choreographing ballets, which is quite odd really! It's nice to tell that story and it might inspire some people. 
Scott Ambler from Play Without Words with workshop students |
"When I was young I had all the urge and the instinct to do it, but I didn't really know how to do it - so it's about having the people around you to help you and give you the way forwards. I think more places like The Garage will help people to do that." Beverly Bennett from Backstreet Energy was really happy with the event. "I think today's gone very well, it's been interesting to learn different types of choreography, how to work with partners, teams and co-ordinate with each other. It's been a brilliant opportunity to do something like this." For Peter Wilson, the big cheese at Norwich's Theatre Royal, the dance workshop is exactly what his vision of The Garage project was all about. "The workshop is precisely what this building is supposed to be used for - to raise everyone's game in order to see what it's like the professional theatrical world. "This is the start of a long journey towards uniting the people of Norwich who have performance skills and ambitions, with the very best." Matthew Bourne sees the image of dance is changing and that more lads are getting interested in taking part. "I also think it's more accepted for young men to be interested in dance. It's not all about ballet and tights and ponceing around in silly old stories anymore, it can be many other things." 
Matthew Bourne faces a question and answer session after The Garage workshop. |
Jack Thomas is a student at Norwich City College: "I've learnt a different genre of dance as I normally work in hip-hop. I never thought I'd be working with dancers like Matthew Bourne's company. "It's good they've finally built up one place in Norwich where all the different dance courses in the city can work together as a community." As for The Garage, it has made a lasting impression on Matthew Bourne: "Who knows what will come out of The Garage? "It could form companies, it could develop the people who are going to tour works around the country in the future, who knows. "I see a lot of stuff around the country and I think dance is thriving. I don't necessarily think that London is the place to be, you're more likely to create an interest if you making it in your own region." Play Without Words is on national tour until mid-May, 2004. For details visit the National Theatre website. 
Review: Play Without Words at Norwich Theatre Royal
New season at The Garage for Norwich Youth Theatre BBC Blast: Profile of Matthew Bourne 
National Theatre
If this feature has sparked your interest in the performance arts, you've loads of choice in Norfolk. Check out these websites. Norwich Theatre Royal
Maddermarket Youth Theatre
Norfolk Youth Music Theatre
Sheringham Little Theatre The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
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