Captivating dancers wow the audience
With productions like these, it's no wonder the Dance Mouse School grew threefold in two years.
MBOMBELA – Dance Mouse Dance School enthralled the audience with the magical world of Wonderland at its third annual dance show on Thursday and Friday.
Dancers aged three to 18 were dressed up in luminescent tutus and fascinating outfits as they portrayed characters of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland at the civic centre.
The school started in 2012 with 50 students and today boasts a proud 200. Of these, 180 participated in the concerts. “The students just got a sudden case of stage fright during rehearsal week,” said Dance Mouse Nelspruit’s owner Maryke du Toit. She then decided to dance with the young ones to reassure them of their moves.
“For many of the younger dancers it was their first time on a large stage.” The theatre was jam-packed and the production was explosive and well-orchestrated.
The music ranged from The Chipmunks’ version of Willow Smith’s “I whip my hair back and forth” to Psy’s “Gangnam Style”. Du Toit and her mother, Vera Serfontein, made all the decorations themselves and spent about a week setting up the giant mushrooms, flowers and caterpillars.
Phrases from the beloved book decorated the walls in the lobby, hallways and in the theatre.
Du Toit and Serfontein made all the dancers’ costumes too.
“There were stages in the organisation of the events where I thought I was going to run away and never come back,” said Du Toit. “But it all came together beautifully and I’m happy with how the evenings panned out.”
Dance Mouse is located in the Jock Centre in Ferreira Street. Enquiries: Maryke on 082-818-0913.
