It’s that exciting time of year again when talented students from our Rock Challenge enrichment are preparing for this year’s dance competition as part of the Premier Division. The Rock Challenge Premier Division comprises the top 10 schools and colleges in the south, and Richard Taunton are incredibly proud to be competing at this level for the second year running!
Building On Success
With a company of more than 60 students, which includes performers, stage crew and hair and make-up, everyone has been working hard to ensure this ensemble performance is one of the best yet. Last year’s entry, titled ‘Three Lives Collide’, was a piece inspired by the Notting Hill Carnival. It impressed judges across numerous categories with the team receiving four awards of excellence. Rehearsals for this year’s main event are already in full swing and the team really are pushing themselves and building on some of the impressive commendations and feedback from last year.
This Year’s Performance
As one of the main events of the year for our Performing Arts department, ideas for this year’s entry had already started to take shape as last year’s competition came to an end. We’re excited to reveal that this year’s piece is ‘Welcome to Bartertown’. Set in the year 2092, and inspired loosely by the post-apocalyptic world found in Mad Max 3 ‘Beyond Thunderdome, It shows groups of tribes fighting for survival in this bleak world that they find themselves in.
Lisa Fernandez Adams, Performing Arts Teacher and Rock Challenge Director said:
“This is Richard Taunton’s seventh entry to Rock Challenge and I am delighted that this will be our second year competing as a Premier Team and amongst the top 10 in the South of England. Every year we challenge ourselves to be more creative than the previous, and this year is no different. The Rock Challenge team at Richard Taunton is inclusive of all students in terms of experience and ability, and despite this, we strive to produce challenging and innovative dance pieces which makes it extremely rewarding. I am particularly looking forward to this year’s piece due to the theme we have worked hard to depict, and look forward to seeing the dance come together in the finals in April.”
This year’s 2019 entry wouldn’t be possible without the generous sponsorship from The Rotary Club Southampton, who for the sixth year running has continued to support our entry into Rock Challenge. Their support is fully appreciated by all our students and enables them to create a knock-out show to be proud of.
We will be competing on Saturday 27 April at Portsmouth Guildhall. Tickets will be available in March from https://portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/whats-on/