We were thrilled as our youth group dancers performed as part of a youth platform, Co-motion, at prestigious dance venue Trinity Laban.

Co-motion is an inclusive youth dance platform presented by the Greenwich Dance & Trinity Laban, bringing together performances from a variety of mixed-ability dance groups and companies including Cando2, Trinity Laban and Magpie Dance, alongside participants from local Greenwich and Lewisham primary and secondary schools.

Trinity Laban began this performance platform in 2009, the only one of its kind in London and the UK.

The platform provides disabled young people an exceptional performance opportunity in the internationally renowned Laban Theatre and includes specially commissioned works as well as invited performance pieces.

Magpie’s Youth Group opened the second half with Roll and Rock, initiated from sessions where dancers explored dynamic range in technique class by looking at movements such as rolling, rocking, suspending, falling and exploding.

Not only were the dancers excited to be at such an award-winning dance venue, but they also had a surprise visit from their patron, ex-EastEnders actress Kellie Shirley, who chatted to the dancers before they went on stage, and watched the show which was a huge success.

Kellie said; “It was such a treat to see such talent shine and all the performances were inspiring and evocative.

"It was a really special night to see the youth group deliver such an accomplished confident performance."

After a six-month run at the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company) Kellie has recently finished filming for a new drama, Nightmares, for Channel 4 which will be out in the autumn.

Kellie has been Magpie Youth Group patron for nine years, and is often visiting sessions and performances.

Article submitted by Laura Graham