Elmhurst Ballet School’s Fundraising Gala, Breaking Barres, was a magical evening of dance, showcasing the talent and the accomplishments of the students of this remarkable institution.

Breaking Barres is not just the title of this end-of-year show, it is also the name of an exciting new project of which the School’s principal, Jessica Ward, spoke with great pride and enthusiasm. With the aim of improving access and representation in the world of ballet, the scheme pairs young dancers of Black and Global Majority heritage with mentors who will support and guide them to navigate barriers they may encounter as they make their way in the world of professional dance.

The varied programme highlighted the versatility of the students. The evening opened with the Dance Of The Argonauts from Sir David Bintley’s The Orpheus Suite, a spirited and uplifting all-male dance set to fast-paced jazz. The Year 12 students’ accomplished performances were a perfect balance of high-spirited energy and self-confidence, true testament to what hours of dedication and perseverance can produce. It was a joy to watch.

And ‘a joy to watch’ describes equally well the rest of this wonderful celebration of dance. Sir Frederick Ashton’s The Dream, set to music by Mendelssohn and pure classical ballet at its most beautiful, demonstrated the young dancers’ level of achievement and exquisite technique.

The pace changed with a dynamic and self-assured rendition by the Year 11 students of Junior Cunningham’s modern and challenging piece, Uncharted. Then, in contrast again, came The Great Race Of The Zodiac, performed by the School’s younger pupils. Inspired by Chinese legend, making inventive use of shadow puppetry, and celebrating the unique spirit and strength of each of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, the ballet was performed with great skill and exuberance by these talented young dancers.
The diverse programme continued with performances of three more short pieces by the School’s Year 10 and Year 13 students and by the Elmhurst Ballet Company. It concluded with the outstanding spectacle that was the Grand Défilé. Set to music from Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, the presentation comprised beautiful performances by small groups of dancers before the entire school gathered on stage for a wonderful finale. It was a most inspiring and entrancing conclusion to a magnificent celebration of the work of these young people and their teachers, full of hope and aspiration for the future.

Five stars

Breaking Barres was reviewed by Rachel Smith on Tuesday 7 July at Birmingham’s Elmhurst Ballet School