Latest news with #JohnKendall
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pupils set to to perform in national ballet
Pupils from a primary school in Doncaster have been given an opportunity to perform on stage with a professional touring ballet company. For every tour date of their production of Snow White: The Sacrifice, BalletLORENT have picked a local school to rehearse with their dancers and join them on stage. Ten children from Bentley New Village Primary have been chosen to perform with the group for two performances at Doncaster's Cast theatre. John Kendall, who plays the Hunstman in the production, says the ballet company are keen to secure stage novices: "We won't go to schools or dance schools where kids go to the theatre often. We believe the arts are for everyone, for all breadths of society." The primary school in Bentley - chosen because of its location in a poorer area of Doncaster - is the sixth, and final, school selected to take part in the show, with the production bringing its current run to a close with two performances in Doncaster this Friday and Saturday. But, despite the pupils' lack of acting experience, Mr Kendall said the young participants are subject to the same demanding schedule as "professional actors". He added: " We go into school and audition them, and then have just two days of rehearsals before we're on stage" "It's all about giving children an opportunity to be themselves and fulfil their full potential" "Art isn't just for high society, it should be for everyone," he said. BalletLORENT was founded by Liv Lorent (MBE) in 1993, and has toured works nationally and internationally to considerable acclaim. More than 650 children from inner-city schools have performed with the company on stage since 2012. The current production of Snow White, written by award-winning poet Carol Ann Duffy, will see the Bentley pupils feature in key scenes, both at the King's funeral and, later, as woodland creatures in the forest. Ahead of the first performance on Friday, the pupils - who are all aged between 7 and 9 years old - will have had just three rehearsals, including a full dress rehearsal. Jeddy, 8, described the process as "quite tough". "It was hard, because of all the moves we do on our hands and feet, but it's really exciting because I've never done it before," he said. Logan, aged 7, is the youngest pupil selected across the entire tour. He admitted to feeling nervous. "I did find it hard because I was so small, but I'm also really excited," he said. Mum Mariam said she is feeling "excited and proud" for her daughter, eight-year-old Ganeyat. "I'm so happy for my girl. She loves to dance, she likes to watch it on TV - and she practices it all the time. "I can't believe I get to watch her on this stage!" Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North Audition mix-up bags mum role in fairytale ballet Retired dancer returns to stage four decades on
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Doncaster pupils set to perform in national ballet production
Pupils from a primary school in Doncaster have been given an opportunity to perform on stage with a professional touring ballet every tour date of their production of Snow White: The Sacrifice, BalletLORENT have picked a local school to rehearse with their dancers and join them on children from Bentley New Village Primary have been chosen to perform with the group for two performances at Doncaster's Cast Kendall, who plays the Hunstman in the production, says the ballet company are keen to secure stage novices: "We won't go to schools or dance schools where kids go to the theatre often. We believe the arts are for everyone, for all breadths of society." The primary school in Bentley - chosen because of its location in a poorer area of Doncaster - is the sixth, and final, school selected to take part in the show, with the production bringing its current run to a close with two performances in Doncaster this Friday and despite the pupils' lack of acting experience, Mr Kendall said the young participants are subject to the same demanding schedule as "professional actors".He added: " We go into school and audition them, and then have just two days of rehearsals before we're on stage""It's all about giving children an opportunity to be themselves and fulfil their full potential""Art isn't just for high society, it should be for everyone," he said. BalletLORENT was founded by Liv Lorent (MBE) in 1993, and has toured works nationally and internationally to considerable than 650 children from inner-city schools have performed with the company on stage since 2012. The current production of Snow White, written by award-winning poet Carol Ann Duffy, will see the Bentley pupils feature in key scenes, both at the King's funeral and, later, as woodland creatures in the forest. Ahead of the first performance on Friday, the pupils - who are all aged between 7 and 9 years old - will have had just three rehearsals, including a full dress 8, described the process as "quite tough"."It was hard, because of all the moves we do on our hands and feet, but it's really exciting because I've never done it before," he aged 7, is the youngest pupil selected across the entire tour. He admitted to feeling nervous."I did find it hard because I was so small, but I'm also really excited," he Mariam said she is feeling "excited and proud" for her daughter, eight-year-old Ganeyat."I'm so happy for my girl. She loves to dance, she likes to watch it on TV - and she practices it all the time."I can't believe I get to watch her on this stage!" Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Bolivar City Fire is now alerting through Safety Cloud
BOLIVAR, Mo. — In an effort to enhance road safety and protect first responders and roadway workers, the Bolivar City Fire Department (BCFD) has integrated HAAS Alert's Safety Cloud digital alerting into its vehicles. This collision prevention service enables the delivery of real-time alerts to Missouri drivers when emergency services are active in the vicinity, according to a City of Bolivar news release. Safety Cloud boosts driver compliance with 'Move Over' laws by dispatching real-time notifications when responders are on the way to a scene, the release says. This digital solution minimizes the likelihood of collisions with responders. Call center volunteers urgently needed for Springfield-Greene County storm recovery Safety Cloud's digital alerting delivers immediate warnings to drivers of the proximity of emergency vehicles or road workers. This preemptive measure is proven to reduce collision risks by up to 90%, safeguarding both first responders and the public. Safety Cloud addresses delay reactions from drivers on the road by providing up to 30 seconds of preemptive warning, the release says. The alerts are accessible via the Waze navigation app and Apple Maps, compatible with mobile devices and integrated into the dashboard of many modern vehicles. Safety Cloud alerts are also available on the infotainment screens of millions of vehicles, specifically 2024 and newer models of Volkswagen vehicles and 2018 and newer models of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles through the Emergency Vehicle Alert System feature. HAAS Alert is actively working on broadening the alerts to more platforms and vehicles, the release says. 'Adopting Safety Cloud adds a layer of protection for our crew, facilitating operations with enhanced safety,' BCFD Capt. John Kendall said in the release. 'By providing drivers with additional time to respond appropriately, this service establishes a safer environment for both our crew and surrounding motorists,' Kendall added. 'We strongly recommend drivers utilize Waze and Apple Maps, both free-to-use apps, to benefit from these vital road safety alerts.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Darlington primary school students to star in professional ballet production
Ten children from a Darlington primary school will join the professional cast of an enchanting production of classic fairy tale Snow White. The Heathfield Primary School youngsters will join the professional cast of Ballet Lorent's upcoming production of Snow White at Darlington Hippodrome on Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17. The Year 2 and 3 pupils, aged between six and eight, were selected from a group of 109 during a workshop held at the school by Ballet Lorent dancers Gavin Coward and John Kendall. Some of the pupils from years 2 and 3 at Heathfield Primary who will perform in balletLORENT's Snow White at Darlington Hippodrome (Image: PROVIDED) Chosen for their enthusiasm and spirit, the children will perform in two scenes alongside the company's professional dancers. Mrs Craggill, class teacher at Heathfield Primary, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for children from our school to be involved in a new skill and perform in a live theatre to an audience. "They are all really excited to be chosen and looking forward to starting rehearsals." balletLORENT's Snow White with community cast (Image: THE TWINS) Eight-year-old Divine, one of the pupils taking part, said: "I really enjoyed the workshop because it inspired me to join a company and take part in a production. "Outside of school I play football and sometimes volleyball. I'm a little bit nervous because I have performed in front of people I know but to perform in front of strangers makes me super nervous." balletLORENT's Snow White red scarf (Image: THE TWINS) James MacGillivray, education and projects manager at Ballet Lorent said: "For many children, taking part in a professional stage production is a unique and transformative experience. "It not only builds their confidence and creativity but also enhances their ability to collaborate, communicate, and express themselves in new ways. "Schools benefit immensely too from our young cast initiative, as these workshops enrich their arts provision and inspire both students and teachers alike." balletLORENT's Snow White (Image: THE TWINS) The pupils will appear in both versions of the show. The family-friendly Snow White, suitable for ages five plus, is a reworking of Ballet Lorent's acclaimed 2015/16 production. Snow White: The Sacrifice, aimed at audiences aged 16 plus, explores the Wicked Queen's fear of aging and premiered in Newcastle in 2024. READ MORE: Darlington MP Lola McEvoy on 'frightening' child safety stats Darlington council approves plan for children's home Darlington students come up with ideas to improve town centre Narration is by award-winning actor Lindsay Duncan, with music composed by Dr Who's Murray Gold. The cast includes Caroline Reece, 61, as the Queen and Geoff Hopson, 54, from Stockton, who returned from retirement to perform in the production. Tickets start from £14 and are available from Darlington Hippodrome at
