‘We are here to rock your world old English styley- booya!’
What style of dancing is Britain famous for? Morris Dancing sure, a Highland reel maybe, we can even stretch to some Ballet shoes or a little Strictly glitter but Street??? More recently, however, the British film industry has taken on the American monopoly on dance movies. Move over Dirty Dancing, I think it’s time Kevin Bacon kept on his Sunday shoes and Step Up needs to step down, for ever since the ‘runaway’ success of Vertigo Film’s Streetdance the British have proved they can certainly do Street dancing. All Stars is the latest British-made dance movie, which promises to continue the trend. Directed by Ben Gregor, the film follows the story of two tweens from East London, Ethan and Jaden, who attempt to put on a talent show in order to save their youth club; the Garage. The trouble is Ethan can’t dance and is trying to impress the girl of his dreams by beating her boyfriend in a dance off. Jaden (played by the winner of Got to Dance 2010, Akai Osei-Mansfield) on the other hand, has been banned from dancing by his parents because it eats into study time. The rest of their dancers prove to be uncoordinated and there is also the small problem of persuading the Garage manager Gina (performed by Ashley Jenson who famously played Christina in the American sitcom Ugly Betty) this is a good idea. Of course it is a race against the clock to put the performance together before the bulldozers roll in, but you’ll just have to watch the film to see if they succeed. Acting alongside Akai Osei-Mansfield is the Strictly star and member of Girl’s Aloud Kimberley Walsh, Comedian Hugh Dennis and the West End Actor John Barrowmen- could this film get any more star studded? Although Kimberley doesn’t get to show off her Strictly moves John Barrowmen laces up his tap shoes for a spectacular homage to Michel Hazanavicius’ award winning film The Artist. This is just one dance sequence in a film which is jam-packed with ballroom, street, tap and of course Morris dancing. The space invaders dance is a favourite here at Dancewear Central. Coming to cinemas on May 3rd this film promises to be the kind of fun that will leave you with itchy feet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XZQuL7rWYM