I attended a wonderful dance show at the Castle Theatre in Wellingborough which was produced and performed by local dancers from the Dexterity Dance Company based in Great Houghton, Northamptonshire and run by Estha Jones.
The Dexterity Summer Showcase was the Dance Company’s annual performance, showcasing their wonderfully talented students between the ages of 4 and 22. The three act show demonstrated a huge amount of grace and variety including different dance styles like contemporary, ballet, jazz and street dance.
As the Arts Minister and therefore responsible for performing arts such as dance I was more than pleased to support local Northamptonshire talent, as I have done since I became the Minister.
I was thoroughly impressed by the dancers who displayed great maturity, discipline and skill at all ages.
It was also interesting to watch a show which tackled some very important issues in feminism and climate change through the medium of dance. I also addressed the audience at the end of the event and outlined my strong support for the dance industry and my support for all of the performing arts in my ministerial work. Dance is a great thing for children and young people, boys and girls- it gives them a world of fun outside computer screens, it is extremely good physical exercise and it is really pro-social, encouraging friendships and building confidence and teamwork.
The Dexterity Dance Company is winning awards and attracting scouts looking for new professional talent and I am pleased to see such great artistic talent here in Northamptonshire.