Testimonials

Performance Press Reviews

'Ballet was White on the money' Roy Sharp DAILY ECHO,July 2010)
It takes a courageous person to adapt and expand a well-known fairytale and turn it into a ballet, but Caron Yardley, Artistic Director of South Coast Ballet, has done just that.

Last Friday Caron's gamble was put to the test and in spite of a few first night hiccups, her venture proved to be a success. Unfortunately it was witnessed by only a handful of patrons.

Caron's verson of Snow White was neither a pantomime nor a copy of the Walt Disney classic. She followed more closely to the the story of the Brother's Grimm.

Instead of seven dwarf's there were eight Little People who befriended Snow White. There was the wicked Queen Ursula (splendidly portrayed by Allanha Tucker), determined to eliminate Snow White, a handsome Prince (Ibrahim Langoo) and two henchmen, Nifty and Shifty, played and danced by Chloe West and Eliana Langoo.

There was an assortment of other characters such as Courtiers, Court Dancers, Gypsies, Princesses and Angels all exceptionally danced by the Corps de Ballet, with Solo's by Olivia Mills, Madeleine West, Emily Dilke, Caitrin Barrett-Donlon and Katharina Hofmann.

Praise must be given to Stephanie Walker as Snow White, especially her Solo and pointe work in the Epilogue and her Pas de Duex with Ibrahim Langoo.

Caron must be congratulated for her enterprise which deserves more support.

'Stephanie shines in South Coast Ballet's enchanting production' Roy Sharp (DAILY ECHO, April 2010)

The story of two young lovers, an eccentric inventor and a mechanical doll, today's production marks the ballet's 140th anniversary and is based on the version choreographed by Marius Petipa.

Dancing to the music of Leon Delibes, South Coast Ballet's young dancers provided an enchanting entertainment. Stephanie Walker danced the title role of Swanilda. She is a star in the making and her arabesques and pirouettes were commendable.

Partnering her as Franz was Ibrahim Langoo, another promising performer. Scott Willmore was a young-looking Dr Coppelius, energetically chasing Swanilda, Franz and her friends.

Excellent solo dances were also performed by Caitrin Donlan as the Gypsy Girl, Emily Dilke as the solo Amour in Act Three, Madeleine West as the solo Dawn, Olivia Mills as a Bridesmaid and Allanha Tucker as the Prayer solo.

'Mermaid story is a fine tale' by Jeremy Miles (DAILY ECHO 26th July 2009)

Hats off to South Coast Ballet. Just one year old and this company is doing wonders in providing performance experience for young dancers.

And not just mini-showcases either. Mermaid, which opened in Poole on Friday evening with the first of four weekend performances, is a full-length three-act ballet, an original work conceived and choreographed by Artistic Director, Caron Yardley.

Based loosely on Hans Christian Anderson's Little Mermaid and set to music by Delibes, Alexander Glazunov and Alberto Gynastera, the production is custom designed to provide a platform for the varying abilities of its dancers.

Accepting students of classical ballet aged between nine and and 19 means that South Coast Ballet inevitably caters at any given time to a wide range of experience.

What a production like Mermaid does is to hone skills in stagecraft, interpretation and expression.

This tale which finds a mermaid journeying to an evil kingdom deep beneath the ocean in the quest for the love of a human prince, achieves these aims superbly. There's fine dancing at all levels with particularly compelling performances from Chelcie Hunt as the Mermaid and Stephanie Walker as the Wicked Sea Witch. It also offers lessons in dressing the stage and, above all, communicating with a live audience. Pity there weren't a few more bums on seats though!

Testimonials and Spectator Feedback
The following statements are original testimonials and statements of the persons concerned.

Dancers

Miss Annie Stratman - Artiste

"I'm Annie, I'm 11 years old, I go to Orchard Academy of Dance and Performing Arts, my ballet teacher is Miss Nicola. I've been learning ballet for five years now, I do tap and modern too. As soon as I heard about South Coast Ballet I knew it was for me! I was eager to try it. I was right, I really enjoyed the Triple Bill, being a Hunter was really fun, we did a silly dance for the Floorcloths, and our dance and costume for the Angels in Nutcracker was beautifiul.

I was really confident for Cinderella - being a fairy, a ballroom guest, a townsfolk and a Midnight Fairy. Now we're getting ready for 'Mermaid'.

South Coast Ballet has been really helpful - I'm getting better at performing, and I feel much more confident on stage - thanks to our great teacher, Caron, who is always kind, helpful, and in the mood!"

Maria Kreller - Soloist

Maria, a German exchange student, trained with the Orchard Academy of Dance and Performing Arts whilst she stayed in the UK. In our Cinderella program, Maria stated that "my time spent with South Coast Ballet is the most memorable experience and the best memory of England that I will take back with me to Germany"

Teachers

Miss Sue Mills ARAD, RAD Diploma, RAD RTS
"As and RAD Teacher of 20 year's standing I value the importance of classical performance experience for my students. Technique and discipline are an essential foundation, but performance is what dance is all about. South Coast Ballet provides an excellent platform for students to express their personalities and performance qualities. Caron's dedication and enthusiasm is inspiring to teachers and students alike and her creativity excites both the performers and the audiences. My daughter has grown in confidence and ability through her involvement with the company. I would recommend any student thinking about a career in the performing arts or who simply loves their ballet, to get involved with South Coast Ballet. Congratulations Caron!"

Sue Mills - Poole Academy of Dance