Iconic will be a “greatest hits” show for Scott School Of Dancing – and there will be plenty of highlights to choose from.
After all, the Aberdeen-based school is celebrating 40 years with the glitzy show at His Majesty’s Theatre for four days from Wednesday June 22.
And the school’s founder, Sandra McIntosh, is beyond thrilled at finally getting the show on stage – after it was postponed twice due to the pandemic
“It’s a great feeling to be celebrating 40 years, plus two due to Covid,” said Sandra, who started the school – now based at Silverburn Gymnastic Centre in Bridge of Don – back in 1980.
“It’s a wonderful feeling that we have got here after all these years.”
Iconic will be a spectacular show from Scott School Of Dancing
While the 40th anniversary celebratory extravaganza has been delayed by two years, Sandra says it will be a spectacular event with 170 pupils taking part, ranging in age from two to 29.
Iconic will draw inspiration and music from West End shows, TV programmes and films, with styles ranging from ballet to contemporary. It will also revisit memorable moments from past shows staged by the school over the years.
‘There will be a section called Rewind and I have picked dances that I have loved choreographing,” said Sandra. “Some of them are exactly like they were, say, six years ago and some of them are completely revamped.
“The last time I did Spice Girls, one girl in the dance was 10 years old. She’s now an ex-pupil now and she’s 30.
“In fact, that one girl was in every dance I’m doing for Rewind. She was in Annie and I’m doing Annie again, she was in Wicked and I’m doing that again because I loved it so much.”
Pupils are thrilled at chance to perform on His Majesty’s stage
Pushing the pause button on Iconic did create some issues for the production, not least the fact Sandra had all the costumes in place for the show back in 2020 and many of the young performers have been growing in the meantime.
“As you can imagine, the pupils who were in P6 when the show was due to start are now S1 pupils at secondary,” she said, adding with some juggling and adjustments every pupil now has a costume to fit.
Sandra is not the only one who is excited at the prospect of Iconic finally becoming a reality. The pupils are also thrilled to be finally getting into the spotlight at His Majesty’s.
“They’ve been saying to me ‘can you believe we’ve waited two years for the next show and now it’s just a week away. They’ve been counting down the days. A lot of them have never danced at HMT and they are so excited.”
How to get tickets to see Scott School Of Dancing’s Iconic at His Majesty’s
The dance teacher is proud of having reached the school’s 40th anniversary milestone and finally having the chance to celebrate on stage.
“I was 18 when I opened my school and I’m 60 now. I’ve had so many children coming and going, many of them going on to dance professionally. I just feel really proud. It’s a massive achievement.
And Sandra is confident the audience, complete with students’ families and friends, will love it too.
“I hope they get a lot of enjoyment from it. I feel there’s something for everyone… laughter, fun and love.”
For tickets and information on Iconic, by the Scott School Of Dancing, visit aberdeenperformingarts.com