Step this way for the Wycombe Swan dance project

11:15am Thursday 14th August 2008

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WATCH out, Fred Astaire, Darcey Bussell and Wayne McGregor: a group of talented young people aged 11 to 19 look set to storm the stage next weekend with DP4, this year's Wycombe Swan Dance Project.

With just 12 days to perfect their moves, nearly 80 dancers are now rehearsing intensively under the direction of four well-known professionals: Yat-Sen Chang from English National Ballet; contemporary choreographer Henri Oguike; former West End performer and jazz specialist Paul Allnutt; and hip hop dancer Flex, from Boy Blue Entertainment.

"The project has given them the chance to achieve something they didn’t think was possible, and they are pushing themselves hard to make sure this show is great."

Paul Allnutt

For many of the youngsters, it's their first time working with professionals in a professional production, but can they really achieve perfection in just under two weeks?

"Of course they can," smiles Paul Allnutt, looking at his group of around 20. "They look fantastic now and it's only the second day of rehearsals, so just imagine what they could achieve by next week."

The 32-year-old choreographer lives in Hertfordshire and teaches jazz and tap in Marlow and High Wycombe. He has put together The iPod Shuffle, a ten-minute piece that "looks at our accessibility to music through technology".

Paul, who has appeared in the West End productions of West Side Story and Fame, adds that he can see just how much taking part in DP4 means to the talented youngsters.

He says: "They are gaining so much in terms of technique, but also in discipline and camaraderie. The project has given them the chance to achieve something they didn't think was possible, and they are pushing themselves hard to make sure this show is great."

Over in the Oak Room, the ballet group are just warming up as I arrive for Doo-lally Ballet, the original creation of Yat-Sen Chang, a principal dancer and choreographer with English National Ballet.

Nineteen dancers wave their arms in a floaty fashion, some pretending to be jellyfish and prawns, while others are mermaids.

"It's all set under the sea, " explains the Cuban-born performer, who also works at the West London School of Dance. "It's about a fisherman who goes beneath the waves and finds a little carnival going on down there between all the different creatures. It's a really fun piece."

He adds: "When I see them all perform, it makes me very happy. Choreographing is very different from my other work, but it's just as rewarding, if not more so."

Playing one of the jellyfish, Lucy Strudwick, 16, from Prestwood, tells me this is the third time she has been in the project and she says she can't think of a better way to spend her holiday.

"I guess it is an intense thing to do over the summer holidays, but I get such a great feeling when I'm up on stage performing."

Lucy, a pupil at The Misbourne School in Great Missenden, adds: "I've been dancing since I was nine and I haven't really stopped since!

"We have to rehearse between four and eight hours a day for the project, but it doesn't tire me out because this really is my passion."

Back on the ground floor, thumping music comes through the speakers near the main stage as the hip hop class gets into full swing.

Choreographer Flex takes the youngsters through their paces, pointing every now and then at individuals to take the stage and make it their own.

One of the natural talents in the group is 15-year-old Chantelle Roberts, a pupil at Highcrest Community School in High Wycombe.

Her brother, Jermaine, used to dance with Urban Strides and has taught her himself for three years. But she has suffered badly from stage nerves and started performing in public only a year ago.

Chantelle recalls: "Not even my parents had seen me perform until last year! I've always been quite a shy person, but dancing has definitely helped me come out of my shell. Now I show my new routines to my mum every week and she always has this big smile on her face."

Looking around at all the young people tapping away, back flipping and sliding or even posing as mermaids, community dance officer Maria Ryan says she's "really excited" to be a part of this year's dance project.

"It's a real challenge for them all, but one they really seem to be enjoying," says Maria.

She tells me the greatest part of the project is its involvement of young people in dance - and even the costumes are being designed this year by volunteer students Amber Dernuic and Jessica Morris. It's a huge undertaking for all concerned, but also a great experience.

"Actually it's an opportunity I would love to offer even more kids," Maria tells me. "We have bursaries and this year we gave 16 young people places, but we had to turn another eight away, which is really frustrating. That's definitely something we would love to improve upon for next year."

But for now, she is "delighted" with the 78 young people who have signed up for this year.

She adds with a smile: "It promises to be a great show and the whole group will be in the finale, so watch this space!"

The Wycombe Swan Dance Project takes place on Friday, August 22 and Saturday, August 23. Tickets: 01494 512000 or www.wycombeswan.co.uk

To find out more about dance classes and workshops at Wycombe Swan, contact Maria Ryan on 01494 552872 or email maria@wycombeswan.co.uk