by Sam Hawcroft
A Withernsea dance troupe is celebrating after winning 12 trophies and securing a return to national finals in Blackpool.
Studio Victoriana took 20 dancers, aged from three to 33, to the Manchester heats of That’s Showbiz, a dance competition with qualifying events across the country. Eight of their 10 routines earned places at the finals, which will bring successful groups together at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens in January.
For founder Vicki Wilkinson, who is celebrating 30 years of teaching, the result is another proud moment for a school that has grown largely through word of mouth and whose performers enjoyed a trip to Disneyland Paris this summer.
Vicki said: “We just bounce off whatever our last thing was and propel ourselves into doing things bigger and better. Each time we do it, we do that little bit more.”
The youngest dancers qualified with all three of their routines, with Bunnies taking first place in the minis section, Spaceship second and Pirates third. Spice Girls finished third in the kids section, while Old Folks Day Out came second in the mixed category.
Among the adults, Who You Are took first place and All That Jazz second. Those two routines, along with Bunnies, Spice Girls and Old Folks Day Out, also received awards as the highest-scoring numbers in their heats, while the troupe earned a special award from the producer.
(Photos: Studio Victoriana)
Studio Victoriana has been involved with That’s Showbiz for five years and has made three previous visits to Blackpool, but Vicki is careful to keep enjoyment at the heart of the experience. She chooses friendly competitions where her dancers can take on a challenge suited to their abilities, without the pressures of a more fiercely competitive atmosphere.
Their summer trip to Disneyland Paris gave them the chance to perform a 20-minute spot and followed a year of fundraising events that brought in £12,000 to cover coaches and ferry crossings.
Vicki said: “We managed it – but we didn’t think we would.”
With the fundraising pot used up and little time to replenish it, those travelling to Manchester paid their own costs. Vicki now hopes to raise more money towards the coach for January’s finals, while families will pay for their own accommodation.
The Blackpool visits offer a chance to spend time together away from the stage, with families often making a weekend of it and fitting in outings to the Sandcastle Waterpark or Pleasure Beach. Travelling by coach helps everyone get there together and makes the arrangements easier, although the competition itself can be a demanding day, starting at about 8.30am and continuing until 10pm.
For Vicki, the atmosphere and the enjoyment her dancers get from taking part make it worthwhile.
She said: “It’s a long day, but it’s good.”
