Review: Diane Bradbury pupils set the barre high

The annual showcase by Diane Bradbury School of Theatre Dance is not only spectacularly choreographed and costumed but does what it says on the tin - raising its game year on year.

Dance highlights include a medley from Swan Lake, edgy routines to Bieber songs and sharp, slick intepretations of Bond film soundtracks.

Awesome agility is shown by junior and senior gymnasts in sketches inspired by Madagascar and Cirque du Soleil.

The preps shine in a lovely piece of musical theatre from Beauty and the Beast as do the juniors and advanced juniors in the Narnia Ballet with a nod towards Into the Woods.

Students and teachers combine for an impressive act one finale, entitled Clowns, in which red-wigged dancers with painted faces surround their timid prey...but she has the last laugh.

Proud parents smiled at the Rosettes hopping and a-bopping to Crocodile Rock while the primaries earned the respect of all when a glitch in the music forced them to re-start their Alvin and the Chipmunks routine at the opening show last night (Monday).

Bold, beautiful and in a class of its own, Raising the Barre continues its run until Thursday, May 26, with the show kicking off at 7pm.