The technique of bellydancing brought to a stage near you (From Bucks Free Press)

High Wycombe bellydancer brings her troupe to talent contest

11:00am Friday 18th November 2011 in Interviews By Rebecca Cain

BELLYDANCING is a lot harder than it looks, according to expert Tina-Louise, and it's not always what people expect. The dance teacher who owns her own bellydancing school in High Wycombe explains the technique to Rebecca Cain and how her professional troupe, The Bellyrinas, are looking forward to being in the final of a theatre competition to win a panto performance.

Tina-Louise started bellydancing 16 years ago when she took it up as a hobby.

But it wasn't long before she caught the bug and started to take it more seriously. She was working as a costume designer when she decided to give up the day job and pursue her love of the dance.

She said: “I was doing costume design for an opera and I said to the class I am never going to do this again, I am going to be a belly dancer and they didn't believe me.

“It is a completely full time career.”

Tina- Louise teaches Egyptian bellydancing at her school, which has about 200 members. The average age is 40 to 50.

“It's all about isolation,” she said, “It is a very hard technique to acquire. You have to isolate parts of your body so only that part is moving.”

And it is a great way to keep fit and even improve back problems, she said, as many doctors and chiropractors send their patients to her.

And now her professional troupe are in the finals of the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre's competition to celebrate their First Birthday Party. On November 24 the troupe will perform on stage with panto star, Jonathan Wilkes, with eight other finalists to win the ultimate prize of performing for one night only in the theatre's pantomime, Dick Whittington.

Tina-Louise said: “This is perfect for us. Our act is very fun and family friendly. We think it would be great fun to do panto.”

At her classes people can wear what they feel comfortable in but at shows the troupe do show their stomachs as they are showing the audience their skill.

She said: “A lot of people come with a pre-conceived idea of what bellydancing is. A lot of people think it is something for men to watch. Often when you go on holiday you don't see a professional dancer - just the washing up girl.

“There is a whole lot more to it.”

As she is a costume designer they make their own costumes. Go to www.tinalouisebellydance.co.uk to find out more about The Tina-Louise School of Egyptian Belly Dance and Hawaiian Hula.

Check out the final nine acts who will perform at www.buckstv.co.uk.

For the birthday party tickets cost £5 with all proceeds going to the theatre’s nominated charity, Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity. Book at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Box Office call 0844 871 7607 or visit www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury