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Our dance experience with Birmingham Royal Ballet

SVI members enjoyed their trip to Birmingham last month to explore dance with the professionals. Our members Gary, Graham and Ray have put together accounts of their experiences, in their own style.

Read Gary’s account of the event, followed by Graham’s poem. Then listen to an extract from Sandwell Talking News compiled by Ray with live recordings from the day, accompanied by a reading of Graham’s poem. Not to be missed, it gives a real flavour of the experience. Thank you everyone!

Participants of the event are huddled in a circle with arms around each other’s shoulders.
Graham, Sandra, Gary, Sarah-Ann and Ashim huddle in a circle to get to grips with dance moves.

Review by Gary Holland

On 26 February, I was invited along with other members of SVI to the Birmingham Hippodrome Birmingham Royal Ballet.

We received the warmest of welcomes from Hannah and Tom, two of the dancers  from  the Freefall Dance Company and their creative team, Lee, Sarah Jenny and Clair.

I really didn’t know what to expect, but there wasn’t a tutu in sight! Although participation wasn’t compulsory, I personally found myself captivated and drawn in by the oozing enthusiasm from all concerned. We created our own signature pose, explored from within our own imaginary bubble, with twists and turns, stretches and bends and I imagined that I was painting with broad strokes.

Sandra, Graham, Ray and Ashim, with Sarah-Ann, are standing, taking part in the event, creating their own signature poses like the Freefall dancers illustrated earlier in the workshop. Sandra is facing the camera and is smiling. Sandra has blonde hair with pink highlights and is wearing an orange and white tie-dye dress, a long golden necklace and rectangular glasses. Participants of the event, the lead of the event and Freefall dancers are standing either side and behind Sandra. Some participants have their arms by their side, some have their arms in the air. Behind the group on the white brick walls of the studio are a series of black framed photos are hanging in a line. There is wooden acoustic paneling above those photos.
Participants consider how to create their own signature poses

All this and other concepts were accompanied by a fantastic pianist on a grand piano.

Sadly the two hours went by far too quickly. I was so energised and left on a real high. I was buzzing and I certainly hope there will be an act two for us to enjoy in the future.

When I arrived home, my wife was keen to know about my day and asked to see a couple of my moves. I spontaneously went into action and subsequently knocked two items off the worktop, one hitting the floor, the other landing in the toaster, what a finale!

I’m sure I haven’t mentioned everybody, but a big thank you to all, including Paul, who was there  to facilitate our personal needs if required. You were all simply fantastic.

: Audio Describer Sarah-Ann Cromwell and SVI member Ashim are taking part in the workshop, both arms outstretched in front of them, palms up. Sarah-Ann has dark, shoulder length straight hair and is wearing a bright pink tubular dress and black tights. Ashim has grey combed hair and is wearing an orange coat and blue trousers. To the left of the pair is a table with a black table cloth and various snacks on. A wooden ballet barre is behind the table. To the right there is also a clothes rail with warm coats on. The walls in the studio are brick which is painted white. The floor is made of a grey lino material. There is wooden acoustic paneling on the wall where the coat rack is. The paneling is above a series of black framed photos with dance imagery in.
Audio-describer Sarah-Ann and SVI member Ashim learn a dance move.

Other dance options available, by Graham Price

Sandwell Visually Impaired took a gamble,
The invite was clear, bop and Cuban were on the cards,
What happened proved to be more than ample,
Measured not in inches, nor in feet but yes, in yards.

Birmingham Royal Ballet had said come along,
‘We are keen to share with you what turns us on’,
The Infectious enthusiasm of Lee, Sarah, Jenny and Claire so strong,
Their ‘Freefall’ activity of 21 years standing to name just one.

Hannah and Tom in such dextrous pose,
Captured in models with moving parts,
Demonstrating inclusivity that included all of us,
Reinvigorating our need to value the arts.

Thank you to Paul, Richard and those already named plus those unknown,
For valuing our presence with such a warm welcome with smiles and refreshments on tap,,
For persuading us into body moves we now own,
Bop and Cuban possibly left for another lap!

Kelley and Tony are sat down whilst Freefall dancer, Tom, explains more about their signature pose.
Kelley and Tony listen and laugh along with Freefall dancer, Tom, as he explains more about their signature pose.

Listen to more about the event

Listen to Sandwell Talking News piece on the visit by STN Editor Ray, along with a recital of Graham’s poem by Sandwell Talking News volunteer Robert.

  • Listen below:
Ray sitting on a grey cloth chair whilst BRB event leader explains the signature move of one of the Freefall dancers using a miniature wooden statue.
BRB event leader explains a Freefall dancer’s signature move to Ray