Varsity’s Got Talent

(By Courtney Wilkie and Maggie Whish – Bond University Journalism Students)

About 80 Varsity Lakes dancers have been in training to perform in the arena spectacular Pharlap to be held at the Gold Coast Show in August.

Close to 60 dancers from Ikin Dance and around 20 dancers from Captivated have been preparing to take part in the event to be performed over three nights.

Pharlap is a period piece about the legendary Australian racehorse and the show includes a re-enactment of the Melbourne Cup.

The Gold Coast Show’s entertainment manager Mark Eady said the show would use all local talent.

“Varsity Lakes performers and personnel … have been an invaluable part of the arena spectacular in the past,” he said.

Ikin Dance public relations officer Megan McInally said dancers have begun rehearsing four hours a week for the 1920s inspired show.

“Dancing acrobatics, stunting, jumps will all appear in the show … to add to the wow factor, because it is a spectacular,” she said.

Captivated dance instructor Ali McGuigan said she was surprised at the amount of talent her Varsity Lakes students have.

“I’m running out of things to teach them,” she said.

“The Gold Coast Show will be even more surprised this year … last time we performed they loved us.”

Ikin Dance student Demi Chapman, 14, said she was excited about dressing up to perform in such a big arena.

The Gold Coast Show’s Mark Eady said he’s been looking for all types of performers to fill the large venue.

“We really need to get the numbers up on the ground … dancing away,” he said.

Those interested in taking part can register at www.ozworks.net.