CAPA College wows audiences with exceptional performances at Move It 2019
On Friday 8th March CAPA College returned to the ExCeL London for its thirteenth consecutive Move It exhibition – and it was the best year yet!
Taking place over three days in early Spring, Move It is the world’s biggest dance event. It brings together representatives from across the dance community – performers, choreographers, students, conservatoires and retailers – to celebrate all things dance in one action-packed weekend.
CAPA College took up residence in their usual home – Stand 444 – for the duration of the event. Designed and built by our Production Arts students and alumni, this year CAPA College’s stand featured theatre rigging with 360 degree displays, a giant illuminated ‘CAPA College’ star and our very own personalised light box – which proved a big hit with college students and visitors alike.
As well as stands, stalls and shops, Move It is celebrated for its impressive range of classes and workshops and CAPA College was well represented with a range of high-energy classes delivered by college graduates, teachers and professional dancers Alex Bowen and Keith Luke Gillott. From 1940s-inspired Speakeasy Funk and explosive 90s pop to under-16s commercial, a Fosse masterclass and a lyrical tribute to the latest musical sensation ‘Dear Evan Hansen’, all of the classes were sold out in advance and gave a sneak peek into daily life at CAPA College. As always the feedback from these classes was fantastic and the smiles that emanated from the studios spoke for themselves.
The piece de resistance of Move It is always its phenomenal performance opportunities. With two venues on offer – Main Stage and the Showcase Theatre – performance slots are awarded on the quality of the choreography and presentation skills. CAPA College was thrilled to be allocated the maximum three performances on the Main Stage (one each day Friday-Sunday) and four in the Showcase Theatre. It was then over to our talented team to illustrate exactly what CAPA College has to offer…
In the Showcase Theatre our Dance, Drama and Performing Arts students offered their own spectacular tribute to the American songstress Carole King with a medley of songs from the hit musical Beautiful. Cue slicked back hair, 60s bouffants, blue and silver mini dresses and a generous helping of soul as CAPA College students channeled the electric power of songs such as (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, I Feel the Earth Move and Chains to the delight of audiences. Arranged by Pauline Trusselle with choreography by Alex Bowen and Claire Nicholson, the performances were sleek and stylish and a real credit to the college. Congratulations to everyone involved!
On the Main Stage Alex Bowen, Keith Luke Gillott and Eddie Copp showcased their exceptional choreography skills by creating not one, not two, but three new stylish pieces of commercial and contemporary dance. First up an explosive fusion of slick, commercial street and carnival: Back to the 90s. Set to the iconic Spice Up Your Life, this was a spectacular celebration of the Spice Girls and all things Girl Power. Conjuring their inner Scary Spice, CAPA College students burst on to the stage clad head to toe in leopard print and denim and kicked, flipped and boogied their way through the routine. Wow! What a feelgood performance. We were very proud.
On Saturday the cast of Keith Luke Gillott’s Speakeasy took to the stage. This Forties-inspired masterpiece combined jazz, jive and lindy hop with commercial and street in one rip-roaring, super-stylish routine. Picture pin-up dresses, braces, victory curls and lifts galore – all set to the soundtrack of The Mask’s Hey Pachuco (you know, the iconic club scene). The ensemble was perfectly timed, the expressions cheeky and the flips impressive… We loved it! Well done everyone.
Last, but not least, Momentum Dance – the award-winning dance performance company of CAPA College – presented their powerful homage to Margaret Atwood’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. The all-female performance combined stunning technique, emotive characterisation and beautiful narrative. With a stellar soundtrack and iconic costumes, this one left a lasting impression. Everyone stood mesmerised with chills running up their spines and the otherwise riotous ExCeL fell completely silent as the audience absorbed Alex Bowen and Eddie Copp’s powerful interpretation of this tale of totalitarianism and oppression. It was simply stunning. Congratulations to our performers – you were a real credit to Momentum Dance and CAPA College.
Special mention must also be made to our wonderful CAPA College alumni who came out in droves to support their alma mater. It was so lovely to see you all and we’re very proud of the fantastic performers, creatives, designers and technicians that you have become.
Didn’t make it to Move It this year? Don’t worry, you can catch all of CAPA College’s spellbinding performances on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_jQYwUT-pW_guu9do3Kzxg
For more information about joining CAPA College please see the current Prospectus here: https://www.capa.college/prospectus/
We’d like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to everyone who helped to make Move It 2019 so memorable for CAPA College. We’ll see you all at Move It 2020!
