Books come to life at West Norfolk Dance Festival

The magical world of children’s books was the inspiration behind a dance event which brought together pupils from schools across West Norfolk.

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The West Norfolk Academies Trust Primaries Dance Festival featured young talents from the Trust’s six primary schools – Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Heacham, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn – and was held at Springwood High School in King’s Lynn, another WNAT member.

The show was opened by two dancers from Springwood’s Sixth Form, before the younger performers took to the stage, with each school group enjoying their individual moment in the spotlight.

Dance teacher Kate Whyborn of KLW Dance worked with the dancers and choreographed their routines, spending an hour a week at each school in the run up to the event.

“We went with ‘Wonderful World of Books and Reading’ as the theme,” she explained. “The idea was to encourage through the performing arts a life-long love of reading and story-telling.

“We used a mix of genre stimulus, such as ‘books that inspire us to believe in ourselves’ and ‘adventure tales’, and direct links to popular children’s books, such as Harry Potter and David Walliams’s Boy in a Dress.”

Performances included dances to ‘Disco Symphony’ from the Royal Shakespeare Company’s adaptation of  A Boy in a Dress, ‘Trinny Carnival’ by David Lowe, ‘Stomp’ by Steps, Elton John’s ‘I’m still Standing’ and ‘The Sea Shanty Song’.

“What has been wonderful about working with the children on this project has been discussing their favourite books and why we love them and what they teach us,” continued Mrs Whyborn. 

“A quote we use on the show to introduce a dance to ‘I’m Still Standing’ is: ‘You’re great no matter what! You are worthwhile simply because you’re alive. Never forget this, and you’re sure to thrive’, from Unstoppable Me! by Dr Wayne W Dyer.

“I have loved seeing how they have become more confident week on week. So many have transformed from saying they don’t like to dance to ‘I love dance’.”

More than 300 friends and family members packed the event, which was taking place for the third year running.

“Kate is renowned in the local area for creating inspiring and exciting dances with children of all ages,” added Hayley Roberts, Director of Engagement at WNAT.

“As a Trust, we pride ourselves on children being given opportunities such as this to work on their teamwork skills, whilst enhancing their creativity and becoming confident young people.”

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