Raptures – Tameside Youth Dance Company, Reuben’s Retreat Performance

19 March 2014

Their focus is on providing performance opportunities for young people, developing their skills with an aim to raise aspiration and develop professionals. The group is also about developing confidence, self-discipline and self-esteem, teamwork skills, broadening young people’s horizons through new experiences and having fun.

Raptures were recently selected to be a part of the U DANCE programme at The Lowry – the NW regional platform 2014.

In order to be accepted the group had to go through a rigorous application process. The decision was made by a panel of experienced artists and young people from across the region. The selection panel was pleased to see a very good standard of choreography and performance from the region.

The day will consist of fantastic workshops led by some of the North West’s best dance artists and a technical rehearsal and performance on the Quays Theatre stage. Raptures will be one of approximately 20 groups that will be taking part over the weekend. It will be a fantastic opportunity for Raptures dancers to network and share their work with other youth dance groups from across the region.

Raptures will perform on Sunday 23rd March 2014 and tickets are on sale now from the Lowry.

Raptures will be performing ‘sausage and mash’ an abstract piece about loss, a loss that hurts too much; “In 2012 my friend lost her little boy, Rueben. He was 23 months old. Reuben had been ill for 3 weeks on and off and despite several doctor’s visits, nobody was unduly worried. Whilst he was enjoying a family holiday in Devon he was his usual happy self, having fun crabbing with his older brother Isaac. Reuben had a fall and became pale and distressed, his worried parents took him to A & E at Barnstaple Hospital and when Reuben failed to respond to some routine tests he was sent for a CT scan. The scan showed a large mass on his brain they suspected to be a tumor. Plans were quickly put in place and Rueben went through various surgeries, but sadly his illness had made him too poorly to continue with any further surgery. Reuben fell asleep in his Mummy’s arms on Tuesday 21st August 2012.” Tamzin Sinclair (Raptures)

Raptures will perform on Sunday 23rd March 2014 tickets are on sale now from the Lowry

Raptures are;

ABIGAIL AINSWORTH – Copley High School

HANNAH BEECH – Fairfield High School for Girls

TAMA CZERNUSZKA – Ashton Sixth Form College

ALEX DANKO – Ashton Sixth Form College

NIAMH HALPIN – St Thomas More Catholic College

EMMA KELLY – Ashton Sixth Form College

OLIVIA LEES – All Saints Catholic College

AMY LOUTH – Alder Community High School

DOMINQUE SKOLOSDRA – Ashton Sixth Form College

KEAVEY SMITH – Mossley Hollins Hoigh School