Young dancers have given shoppers in Wrexham an enchanting preview of their Christmas show.
The sun came out as costumed members of Delta Academy of Dance and Performing Arts aged from three upwards put on a stunning performance of dance routines and dazzling acrobatics at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre.
Grandmother of one of the girls, Sylvia Braisdell, of Acton, said: “We couldn’t have wished for a better day. With the sun out it was quite warm and people were delighted to stop and watch the youngsters. They gathered quite a crowd keen to see all the energetic moves.”
Sylvia and friend Mandy Dawson, also of Acton, turned out specially to see their respective grandchildren, seven year olds Martha Brady, of Abenbury and Grace Dawson, of Rhostyllen.
Mandy said both girls attend the Delta academy’s regular classes at Tanyfron, Wrexham.
She said: “They just love it. It’s not something we have to persuade them to do. They just can’t wait to get to their classes. They attend three times a week and love all the different activities.
“The academy is not just about dance, but the performing arts in general, there’s music, singing, acting, and acrobatics, they get to learn so many skills and perform to live audiences. Everyone gets a fair turn and all the kids are so much more confident and cheerful as a result.”
Delta Academy of Dance and Performing Arts founder and principal, Dianne Hughes, said she was thrilled with the turn out for the Eagles Meadow event.
She said: “As it was half term we thought we would give people a little taster of the dance skills to be seen in our Christmas show, The Snow Queen, which will be staged at William Aston Hall, Wrexham, on December 4 and 5.
“We’re in rehearsals for it right now and we’re all really excited about it.”
The show follows the traditional Snow Queen storyline but all the choreography and show format have been specially devised by Dianne and her team of expert teachers to showcase the skills of students at all levels from beginners to advanced.
Dianne said: “We have students ranged in age from three-year-old infants right through to adults and their enthusiasm is boundless.
“Dance is enjoying a real revival currently. Thanks to TV shows such as Strictly and Britain’s Got Talent, people are taking a lot more interest and realising how good it is for fitness and as a way of socialising and making lifelong friends. Parents of our students always tell us how their children have gained in confidence and are much more outgoing and happy after coming to our classes.
“We also run singing and acting classes so students have a real chance to become all round performers and if they want to they can take performing arts exams with us, as we are now a recognised BTEC centre.”
Eagles Meadow manager Kevin Critchley said: “We were delighted to welcome the members of the Delta Academy and they put on a terrific performance for our shoppers. I wish them well with the production of the Snow Queen. It promises to be a fantastic show.”
The Snow Queen has a cast of 350 drawn from all the Academy’s different classes, with students coming from right across Wrexham and further afield.
The first of three performances in all is at 7.15pm on Friday, December 4; then on Saturday, December 5, there will be a matinee at 2.15pm, followed by a 7.15pm evening show. Tickets are £8/10.
For further details about the show or Delta Academy call 01978 661 046 or visit www.deltaacademy.co.uk
