BBC1 to stage dance talent search

Published Monday 19 June 2006 at 11:15 by Liz Thomas

Strictly Come Dancing is joining forces with BBC New Talent to offer aspiring performers the chance to appear in a one-off production for BBC1 titled Dancing in the Street.

The Corporation is holding dance workshops at six venues across the country during June and July, in a bid to find the best upcoming talent to appear in the show, which will be performed and recorded for television in front of a live audience in London’s Trafalgar Square. Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke is to host masterclasses for those that have been shortlisted from the initial workshops but from these only one dancer from each of the six locations will be chosen to appear in the show.

The winners will have to attend two days of rehearsals with celebrity dance partners including Erin Boag, Andrew Cuerdon, Hanna Haarala, Nicole Cutler and Matthew Cutler, before performing with them at the event on July 22.

Du Beke commented: “Dancing for an audience of millions live on BBC1 is a wonderful experience. I hope we’re going to find some undiscovered talents so we can give a spectacular ballroom performance on stage in Trafalgar Square.”

The show forms part of Big Dance, a nationwide celebration of the artform run in conjunction with Arts Council England. The 90-minute production will be broadcast on BBC1 later in the year and the final six dancers could also receive funding for further training and development.