The Children Today charity celebrates its 30th anniversary with a star-studded dance extravaganza that includes a world premiere from international ballet superstars Maria Kochetkova and Daniil Simkin. He will also duet on the showstopping Le Corsaire with English National Ballet principal Sanguen Lee, who will return for a Giselle extract with Gareth Haw.
So far, so ballet-fabulous. But what really makes the night special is the opportunity to see the breathtaking work being done by this country’s disabled dancers in ballet and contemporary.
The likes of Stopgap Dance Company and Propel Dance show that dance truly is “for everyone” and explore bold new ways to advance the medium and blow our own understanding of disability and ability.
Joe Powell-Main will perform The Sleepwalker with Hannah Rudd. A decade ago he was a promising Royal Ballet School student until injuries and a car accident at 14 ended his dreams. Or so he thought.
Today, he’s not just exploring life as a professional disabled dancer, he’s also involved in activism and education, helping dance teachers and organisations understand and improve inclusivity.
“I found it difficult to imagine how I would come back to dance because I hadn’t seen anyone like me represented on stage before,” he says. “Even until recently, I had been hiding a lot of my challenges. I think it’s important to show the amazing things a disabled dancer can do but also to discuss the challenges.
“The chair and crutches are an extension of my body like a female dancer wearing point shoes. They are not all who I am. I’m much more than that. People tried to make me feel I didn’t belong and there are still tough days or moments when I wonder what could have been in a parallel world, but I finally like myself as a dancer.”
Excited amateur Denicia Allen has been “scared and happy, counting the days” until she can perform the ever-evolving duet Reunion with English National Ballet’s Alice Bellini.
The 18-year-old has cerebral palsy and has always required specialised mobility equipment. She’s been supported by London charity icandance for the past ten years and says they are “like family. They watched me grow up into who I am now, crazy and loud!”
Dancing for her is fun, and, importantly, trains her motor skills and her memory. Best of all, she says, “It feels magical and peaceful, like dancing on a cloud. I feel like I am in another universe, transforming. I can be myself, be happy.
“People may look different on the outside been we’re all the same inside. Don’t let anyone push you down whether you have like a disability or not,” Denny says. “Know you can do it and you can always get back up. Trust the people who love you. Be yourself.”
icandance founder Juliet Diener is bursting with pride for Denny but working with over 300 people a week with no state support, she admits, “It’s ever more challenging. We survive with dedicated staff and the goodwill of individuals.”
Alongside shortfalls in government funding for special needs, Children Today is facing a charity-wide crisis as we all struggle with emptier pockets and less to give. They warn: “Not being able to access vital equipment and services has a huge impact on the physical and mental health of disabled young people, and can affect the mental well-being of the family.”
Alice volunteers her time amid a gruelling work schedule. She can’t stress enough to me that, no matter how tired she is, “I get so much energy and inspiration back. I always leave feeling fresh. I want to give everything. Their families say it is the best time of the week for everyone. They become free, and dancing with Denny restores my own love for ballet.”
She has a simple message: “We don’t want pity, we want your attention and support. There are so many causes that we can fight for. The world needs so much, but I’m focusing on this one right now because I believe in it.”
icandance celebrates disabled children and young people, empowering them through dance and performance. LINK HERE
LINK TO CHILDREN TODAY HERE
EMPOWER IN MOTION: A BALLET INCLUSIVE IS AT SADDLER’S WELLS ON WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 7. FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFO CLICK HERE