The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

DANCERS from the Lawrence Carroll Dance Academy delivered an entertaining two-part dance show, "The Game Is On," on Father's Day, at the College of The Bahamas' Performing Arts Center.

The unique and eye catching costumes stood out during the 26 dance selections that covered classical ballet, modern dance, cabaret and pointe dance styles.

"My cousin is dancing in the Gaga session of the show and I am just elated to see her. Like all dance programmes in the Bahamas, I think Mr Carroll is doing a good job with these students. They are young but I am happy that they are not giving up, they are trying," said a family member of one of the dancers.

Lawrence Carroll himself told Tribune Entertainment, the "Lady Gaga" selection was a personal favourite. Dressed in gold shiny skin tight jumpsuits with unusual head pieces, the dancers took to the stage to move to Lady Gaga's "Bloody Mary" single.

"That was a theatrical performance. At the beginning of that selection, everyone was doing different movements and it gave everybody the chance to have their moment. They made it look like a pre-historic Gaga feeling," said Mr Carroll.

Identifying each theme as a "Game", Mr Carroll said: "Each year I do the show, I choose a piece of music that I like and this year it is called "The Game Is On". The game is between all the different things you will see in the show, and I will take you from game to game."

"The game in the show on Sunday that took us to Jamaica "Church Heathen" explains what happens in the church. And the "Waka Waka" took us to South Africa," he said.

Speaking about his younger dancers, ranging from ages 4 to 8, Mr Carroll said: "I call them my miniature robots. Once they get on the stage, they know what to do and that is how I work. All of the students are trained to do the whole picture, the whole dance, it is a work in progress. There is a choreographic session that the students have to take and I build the choreography on the talent. Technically everyone is on a different level."

Mr Carroll said it is always a joy to work with students from his academy.

"They know what I expect from them, and they love my choreography because they all get a chance to express themselves and each dancer gets a chance to shine," said Mr Carroll.

The second part of the show is scheduled for Saturday. Mr Carroll said he expected a larger audience.

"We have been doing this dance show for many years now. I was expecting more people to come out on Sunday night, but I think where there is part two to the event and people have a choice, they choose to come out this Saturday," said Mr Carroll.

"It was Father's Day and I understand people were busy with their fathers on Sunday. Last year we did it on Father's Day, but it was a one part show, so a lot of people showed up and it was packed to capacity," he said.

He said his expectations for this Saturday remain the same and he is looking forward to a great show.

"The Game Is On will be a total artistic experience, where you see dancers who are technically trained, perform for you," he said.