Cowper School of Dance put on show-stopping performance at Blackpool

Cowper School of Dance based in Whitehaven headed to Blackpool Winter Gardens on Sunday to take part in the American Association of Dance competition.

The group of senior dancers, who range from 15 to 40 years old, were delighted to be back on stage four years after they had last taken part in the contest.

'Kings of New York' cast (Image: Jim Davies)

They won fourth place for their performance of ‘Kings of New York’ and were placed sixth for their dance to ‘Some Like It Hot’.

Principal Adrienne Kelly said: “It went really well. They all really enjoyed the day. They hadn’t done the competition for four years.

“The Opera House holds about 3,000 people so it was nice to be back on a big stage to dance. They all loved it. It was great for them.

Main part, Kate Starkie from Whitehaven (Image: Jim Davies)

“The performances were both really strong show numbers. There were about 44 dance schools in total so they did really well.

“We rehearsed just an hour a week so it was incredible the results we came out with. The only time we all came together was on the day so they did amazing.

“It was a really great day and they all thoroughly enjoyed it which is what dancing is all about. As longs as they have enjoyed it and done their best.”

Kings of New York, Reading the Whitehaven News, left to right, Shannon Telford, from Whitehaven, Raynor Morton from Whitehaven, Abi Stout from Workington. (Image: Jim Davies)

The last time they were on stage was to mark the dance school’s 150th anniversary with a show at Workington’s Carnegie Theatre last year. The event raised £3,100 for Cancer Research UK.

Adrienne said: “They’ve all grown up with me. My eldest girl is 40 and her little girl is dancing as well now. It’s lovely that they stay with us. It’s a real family-run school. It’s a good hobby.”