JULYS MEMBER OF THE MONTH ~ Natalie

MEET NATALIE!

Manic Stage Productions has a wonderfully talented team of individuals and we like to introduce you to them and tell you a little bit about each and every one of them. This month meet Natalie...

Whats your dance history? 

I started dancing at the age of 3! Mum always said that I practically danced before I could walk! I began dancing at the Southsea school of dancing with Nina Brown! I went to primary ballet and never looked back after that! 

I studied all types of dance; ballet, tap and modern! I quickly began to realise how much I loved to dance. I also went to singing lessons and was a junior member of the Portsmouth players! I did lots of local theatre productions and 

also christmas pantomimes at the kings theatre! At the age of 12 I auditioned 

for the Royal ballet associates, and was lucky to gain a place at their weekend classes. I then went onto being a central school of ballet associate at the age of 15! And landed my first role as Clara in the nutcracker with the English youth ballet! 

Where did you professionally train? 

I auditioned at the age of 16 for many schools, and decided I wanted to go on and train at a professional college. I got into london studios on the ballet course 

and also Northern ballet, but decided I wanted to focus on all disciplines, not just ballet. So I also auditioned for Laine Theatre Arts! I was lucky enough to be awarded a 3 full year scholarship! So I decided to take this incredible opportunity! 

Tell us about the jobs you have done since graduating?

Since graduating I have worked on land as a dancer and dance captain at "Warner Leisure Hotels" with Bourne Leisure at Holme Lacy House and Bembridge Coast! I have worked for sea cruise limited, on the old Thomson Destiny as a dancer, sailing around Greece and Turkey! And I have most recently worked for Qdos Productions, onboard the beautiful Celebrity Millennium as a production dancer, sailing around Alaska and Asia! 

It's truly fantastic to get to travel the world and get paid to do what you love!

What do you love about working for Manic?

I love working for Manic Stage Productions! It's like a little family! It gives us dancers great opportunitys to perform locally in big events! We get to do a great class each week and be involved in some great corporate events and shows! It's so good to be able to do what you love without having to travel so far to do it, and do it at a professional level! It's also a great way to keep fit inbetween contracts! 

Whats your favourite Manic gig?

My most favourite gig with manic so far, has to be "Fort de Soleil"! It was so great to be apart of something so unique. I loved the routine and the whole "cirque" theme! And even gained a new skill whilst doing it! I can now say on my CV, that I can dance with fire! I must say it was frightening experience at first but also thrilling at the same time!

What do you love most about performing? 

I think my most favourite thing about performing, is being able to let yourself go and immerse yourself in what you love! I love performing and bringing joy to others. Dance is a way to express yourself, and I don't think I could ever express myself more than the way I do, when I dance! It's also lovely to be able to say, I love my job! And not many people get to say that! I'm not saying it's easy! As its not, you have to want it and work very hard and constantly keep picking yourself up after rejection, as there is a lot of that! (especially when your 5ft!) but all in all it's a very rewarding job! 

Tell us about your future contracts 

Well my next adventure will be with Fred Olsen Cruises, onboard MV Boudicca! I am very much looking forward to working with Mirage and doing another amazing itinerary but with a different company this time! 

I have to thank my family for always being so supportive and being there through all the ups and downs! But it's been so worth it! 

We hope you have enjoyed getting to know another member of our team and we look forward to introducing you to somebody new next month!

In the mean time if you have any enquiries regarding professional tailored entertainment for any occasion please don't hesitate to contact us at manicstageproductions@gmail.com

www.manicsp.co.uk

FORT DU SOLEIL!

INTRODUCING....

FORT DU SOLEIL! 

Manic Stage Productions are so excited to share with you our latest new performance piece produced for our newest client 'Amazing Venues'! This fabulous contract starts with our debut theme on board which featured at the venues grand opening of 'No Man's Fort!'

 

Saturday 4th April saw 10 of Manic's talented team take to the seas for their opening night of 'Fort Du SOLEIL' on board No Man's.  The team consisting of stunning aerial acts, daring fire dancers, poi artists, dancers, singers and sky high stilt walkers!
With a whole host of entertainment packed into one luxury night the guests where in for a brilliant treat of professional bespoke entertainment and performances!

To welcome the guests on board they were greeted by champagne and our stunning stilt walkers. As they entered the beautiful glass roofed atrium they were wowed by the amazing space before heading off to explore the many special sights of this exclusive venue and what it had to offer!

In keeping with our take on 'Cirque Du SOLEIL' our team were dressed in silver and blue hand painted catsuits with huge silver pleated wings for that eye catching effect! You certainly couldn't miss them and set a great first impression for all the guests.

One the sun set we kicked of the show and our team performed the 1st themed medley featuring music, lights, smoke and of course our specialist skills!  Our dancers showed off their creative choreography and our aerialist were showcased throughout! Wowing the crowds the aerial hoop and silks were certainly the highlight receiving rapturous applause, the guests seemed to be blown away by the talent! It was a great way to begin the night and keep everyone excited for what was to come.

Next up the guests were seated for a delightful dinner where they heard our beautiful singer between courses. Her song choices really complimented the atmosphere and gave everyone a treat in between eating their delicious 4 course meal. She was joined by our dazzling dancers dressed top to toe in sequins adding some of our usual Manic sparkle.

We finished the evening with something quite spectacular! After dinner and before the guests danced the night away in the on board nightclub they eagerly awaited the much anticipated FIRE SHOW! 
Back in the atrium the scene was set with a layer of atmospheric smoke and views of the night sky through the glass ceiling our team took to the stage once more to give the guests a final show to remember!

Beginning with fire palms our medley started with 4 girls performing a routine with high flames and beautiful choreography. The songs and music where cleverly picked to add to the action and our medley started to progress as the team performed breathtaking fire stunts, including body burning and fire breathing!

The elegant wings featured once more with dancers breaking up the medley and hiding our fire dancer as she appeared with amazing fans to create yet another spectacular routine! 

Swinging fire around their heads, in the splits, over their bodies and into their mouths the spectators really couldn't believe their eyes. We finished with an incredible fire breathing act joined by all of the team on stage with hula hoop, poi, palms, sticks, wings and dancers which as you can imagine was a truly magnificent finale and a fantastic image for all of the guests to take away with them!! 

We had such an amazing time on board at No Man's and enjoyed the boat trip home ready and raring for our next two 'Fort Du SOLEIL' performances later this month!

Tickets are already selling fast and there are hundreds of guests ready to enjoy our next performances and we can't wait to be back on board to showcase what we have! 
Take a look at the website to see more pictures and read some more information about booking your places, we look forward to seeing you all there!! 
http://www.amazingvenues.co.uk/solent-forts/

For bespoke tailored entertainment for all occasions big or small do not hesitate to contact us!
www.manicsp.co.uk

manicstageproductions@gmail.com

Manic April Member of the Month - Lucy

Manic Member of the Month

Every month we like to shout about one of our fabulous team members and this month we introduce you to .....

Lucy Penketh

Read on to hear what she has been up to as a professional performer and where it all began!

When did you start dancing?

I first started dancing at the age of 2 when I went along to a baby ballet class where my grandmother was an assistant teacher, I then moved on to learning tap, jazz singing and drama. I was very quickly bitten by the dancing bug, attending many classes a week to achieve my grades aswell as take part in local festivals and national competitions. Winning the British Arts Awards All Round Performer at their finals in London.

Where and when did you continue your training professionally?

After I had been to college and completed my A Levels I knew I wanted a career in the dance industry, I was accepted into Stella Mann College of Performing Arts, in which I completed a 3 year National Diploma Course in Professional Dance graduating in 2012. I was taught a lot of about the industry as well as furthering my dance training to the best it could be. Since then I have danced in a Cyprus, been in Bollywood Films, music videos and the MTV awards in India. Also a James Bond stunt show in Paris and Cruised Asia among many other destinations!

What are you currently doing?

I have recently been away with Costa Cruises, cruising Japan, Korea and China on the Costa Victoria. I have decided to have a summer at home after being away almost continuously since graduating in 2012. I am currently rehearsing with Manic Stage Productions and am very excited to be part of their 'Amazing Venues' Solent Forts team. Its so great to be performing constantly with the Manic Team, at various events and venues with such great local talent!

How long have you been part of Manic?

I started in 2013 with Manic and had my first gig within 2 weeks of joining! A scary but great experience! Since then in between contracts I have had the pleasure of doing a wide variety of gigs events and shows with the Manic team. From dancing with Sinitta to being a stilt walking leprechaun each event is well thought out rehearsed and delivered to a high professional standard, which I am extremely proud to be part of.

Do you have a Manic Highlight?

There have been many highlights with Manic! I look forward to class each week as everyone is so friendly and works really hard, but my main highlight would be the recent Fort du Soleil which we performed on No Man's Land Fort just last week. It was an incredible experience from start to finish, with the boat ride over to having a tour of the venue, then performing almost 3 seperate shows to enetertain the guests, with fire dancing, aerialists and some great singing! I cant wait to go back!!

What are your plans for the future?

I am always looking for new and exciting experiences and performance opportunities so who knows where my dance career will take me! I guess thats another reason I love it so much, as every week, month and year is so different!

For more information on Manic Stage Productions please visit our website www.manicsp.co.uk

or contact us at manicstageproductions@gmail.com to discuss the team performing at your next event

Manic's Member of the Month - Jan '15

Manic's Member of the Month!

*JESS*

This month we have chosen to introduce you to another member of our talented team, so you can get to know each of us a little better! 

This months Manic member is JESS!! 

Here's a bit about her and what she has been up to recently! Hope you enjoy!

When did you start dancing?

I started dancing at the age of three when my mum and dad sent me to ballet class. I was quite a shy child so my parents decided drama classes would be a real help in building my confidence. At the age of 10 I got the opportunity to perform on a West End Stage, and from that moment I knew that I wanted to make performing my profession. I loved it from the second I stepped out onto that stage.

What were your first performance experiences?

As a young dancer I was picked to perform with BALLET Russe in their performance of ‘Giselle’, performed in many shows at The Chichester Festival Theatre, and at the age of 16 I featured as a soloist on BBC radio 2. I also completed all of my major examinations in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, grade 7 singing and gained a distinction in my drama diploma.

Tell us about your training
I first trained at ‘ Emma Reynolds school of dance’ then on to ‘Art of Dance and Fitness’ in west sussex. At 18 I went on to train for three years at the prestigious ‘Laine Theatre Arts’. I had the most amazing three years there and learnt so much about the industry.

What was your 1st professional job?

My first job straight out of college was a world cruise performing as a singer/dancer on board ‘Voyages of Discovery’. I performed in musical medleys, cabarets, as a Vegas show girl, to Murder Mystery’s and Alan Ayckbourn’s short plays. We were certainly kept busy! I ended up accepting another contract on board shortly after.

When did you join Manic Stage Productions

I joined Manic in March 2013 and can’t quite believe how quickly the time has flown! I love being part of the Manic family!  

Everyone’s so friendly and incredibly supportive of one another.

Everyone at Manic is very busy, what have you been up to lately?

I currently teach Dance in the evenings for a local dance school and have recently returned from the land of Panto, in which I was Princess Jasmine In Aladdin. We toured all over London at different venues and was a wonderful new experience.

What have your Manic highlights been?

I’ve had so many exciting opportunities since joining Manic.  A few of my favourite gigs have been performing at Twickenham Stadium alongside ‘Little Mix’, performing on the Solent Forts and the children’s parties that we host are always such fun! 

Meeting every Tuesday for class with the team is something I always look forward to. Were always rehearsing or working towards something new and exciting!

To meet the rest of our team don't forget to subscribe and follow our blog. We have all sorts of exciting bookings coming up that we can't wait to tell you about, so watch this space!

For enquiries to discuss our bespoke entertainment for any occasion or corporate event do not hesitate to contact us at the following.

www.manicsp.co.uk

manicstageproduction@gmail.com