The Ballet Pod

Venue: The Forum Studio Theatre

The Ballet Pod is a new performance group directed by Richard Slaughter, a former Royal Ballet and international principal dancer and director of Ballet Creations. The Ballet Pod is made up of Clare, Ann and Michael Wall, gifted young dancers, who have practised and rehearsed every day for the last two years.

The Ballet Pod takes its name from the company Wheelie Bin, out of which ballets and dances old and new are taken, recycled and performed. Costumes and props are also sorted there, as is knowledge, fun and a lot more.

An Introduction to Ballet tells of a dancer's day and training; explaining how ballet has evolved, and exploring its history, which is illustrated by excerpts from Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Cinderella, and new ballets such as Medieval Kindle. A great introduction into the world of ballet for kids, families, and anybody who could like to know more; the afternoon programme is entertaining and fun.

The Festive Ballet Pod is a kaleidoscope of the best of ballet featuring all the above ballets and new works such as The Ballad of Edward Owen, Miner, which tells of the explosion of 1880 at Bersham Colliery and the lives of the mining community. Poetry, song, folk dance and a new score composed by Michael Wall combine to present a moving testament and memorial to Welsh mining history. Other works include Ladies of Llangollen, and excerpts from Hans Andersen's The Snow Queen.
http://www.theballetpod.com/