Star-studded charity show Variety 2000 has The Three Degrees, Jeremy Beadle and the local Starlight Dance Works troupe, finds SALLY KING

A group of young dancers will be performing with the stars on February 27 when Starlight Dance Works perform their ground-breaking routine, Bohemian Rhapsody, at Variety Show 2000 hosted by Jeremy Beadle and starring the Three Degrees.

Principal of the school Helen Havis said: "This is an amazing opportunity for the girls at the school. Bohemian Rhapsody was a piece created by accident for a London show which has wowed audiences ever since.

"I was thrilled to be asked to take part in this variety show, especially as it is being hosted by Jeremy Beadle."

The routine, choreographed by Helen, was originally put together in 1998 for a children's variety show at her Majesty's Theatre, London.

Another dance school had dropped out and Helen was asked if her girls could stand-in at short notice.

In just four weeks the routine had been devised and rehearsed and the girls went out to receive a standing ovation.

The routine, set to the music of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, uses white face masks and UV lighting to create a stunning effect.

After their chance appearance at her Majesty's the group were invited back for another performance the following year. That too earned them a standing ovation.

Organiser of Variety Show 2000, Hilary Garrard, heard about the group from theatre manager Julie Roberts of the New Empire Theatre. Julie too had also asked the girls to perform at a charity event after hearing of the unusual routine.

However, Hilary needed more than one routine, and now Helen has been asked to choreograph a new routine for the star-studded show at the Cliffs Pavilion.

Helen has risen to the challenge to produce a routine exciting enough to open the second half of the show.

The details are being kept secret until the performance, but Helen said: "The second piece will not be using masks but silk scarves instead. No other secrets are being let out!"

Starlight Dance Works is a theatre school specialising in all areas of dance and performance for children and young adults. The school has classes in Hockley, Rayleigh and Benfleet for students from the age of three to adult.

Tickets for Variety Show 2000 which starts at 7.30pm on Sunday, February 27 are available from the box office at the Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Westcliff. Phone 01702 351135 to book.

Starlight express themselves - Talented youngsters from the Starlight Dance Works will be performing on the same stage as singing legends The Three Degrees in a charity concert later this month at the Cliffs Pavilion

Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

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