Kids to Take Over Royal Albert Hall This Sunday

Directing 1400 performers at the Royal Albert Hall would be a daunting task for any director, but for Kevin Dowsett it’s all about the kids. This Sunday he showcases his most spectacular and ambitious show to date, I Don’t Feel Like Dancing! at one of London’s most treasured and prestigious venues. He’s excited, if a bit scared, but he has faith in his young stars: “The show is genuinely taken over by the kids. They are very good at making things work.”

I Don’t Feel Like Dancing!  is presented by Dowsett’s Theatretrain company, one of the UK’s leading youth performing arts groups. It focuses on dance and movement skills from the work of Laban, the celebrated theatre choreographer, dance artist and theorist who devised the eight efforts of human movement. “Laban brought together the elements of space and time and weight. In this it’s pure movement. We’ve given (the kids) an awful lot to do.”

Backed by patrons Catherine Tate and Derek Jacobi, Theatretrain has been inspiring young people aged between six and 18 to express their emotions, hopes and dreams through the art of performance for over 16 years, giving youngsters the unique opportunity to perform in local and national theatres.

Of the production process Dowsett emphasises the importance of involving everyone in the show from conception to completion: “One of the challenges is to create shows that deepen their respect for theatre. I like to ensure that they have something to buy in, owning the work. They research the work, and do improvisation about their characters. They go on a journey, investigating and discovering. We want to get them interested in the process. The buzz for the kids, and the atmosphere, is amazing.”

With over 30 music numbers ranging from classical to urban, Sunday’s dazzling Royal Albert Hall performance will begin with the Scissor Sisters and Snow Patrol and work its way through a variety of dance styles and forms including hip hop, Irish, Greek and salsa. The visual aspect of the performance plays a crucial part and the audience will be treated to a stunning display of vibrant colour and movement across the stage.

Dowsett’s voice exudes genuine passion as he discusses the rewards of working with young people; watching their confidence grow, developing their imaginations, and keeping the problem kids out of trouble: “Egos are not helpful in theatre. It’s about being generous and interested in other people. When you have a shear weight of numbers it’s hard for the naughty person to be seen, to be obnoxious, a clown. They soon realise that they’re involved in something far bigger than themselves and their ego. Huge numbers in some ways lesson the impact of the individual and they learn to be part of something. They enjoy it. They don’t have the experience but they have the enthusiasm and excitement.”

I Don’t Feel Like Dancing!
Sunday 28th September

Royal Albert Hall
Kensington Gore
SW7 2AP

Box Office: 020 7589 8212