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In Groove on Down the Road the classroom that Dorothy starts in is one where ALL creative subjects have been taken off the curriculum because there is no money from the Government to support them. Creative subjects aren’t considered to be important.
Described by The Telegraph as ‘infectiously cheerful’, Groove on Down the Road was a special commission by Southbank Centre from the country’s leading hip-hop dance company ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company. This hip-hop rendition of the classic story of The Wizard of Oz was written and directed by Kate Prince and performed by ZooNation Youth Company, with dancers ranging from ages 10-19, as a way of inspiring a new generation of performers. It premiered at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre in August 2013 and returned by popular demand the following summer in 2014.
Groove on Down the Road uses the format of The Wizard of Oz to bring to life the themes from the now very famous Sir Ken Robinson Ted Talk. In this he argues that schools kill creativity.
Whilst in Oz (which Dorothy visits in a dream after a knock to the head) she discovers the value and empowering nature of creativity. She visits Emerald City High which is a private school that has LOTS of money and the children there are surrounded by creative subjects and equipment. The Wizard is taking loads of money from parents to pay for these creative subjects. So much money that he is making a profit. He is keeping this money for himself. Bad wizard!
At the end of the story, the Wizard decides to do the right thing and gives Dorothy the ‘key’ (metaphorically) to his store cupboard of creative equipment to help her spread creativity as a way to learn and grow.
Infectiously cheerful show. The dancing skills on display from the young cast are dazzling…their precision and energy in the many group routines are exhilarating.
The Telegraph
The unbelievable amount of energy, spirit, and individual character of each performer is so professionally packaged, it’s easy to forget they’re all under 19 years old.
Time Out
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