I found myself at the Phoenix Theatre, a bit of a wildcard for me. It was Michelle’s School of Dance with Take A Bow, a showcase of songs from musicals.
There was very little information on the theatre’s website, and I couldn’t find a website for Michelle’s School of Dance either, so I had very little to go on—but it felt worth the trip to find out.
The audience size was bigger than I expected, which made me think they must know something I didn’t.
It was a charity performance, raising money for a Blyth charity, Holding Hearts Therapeutic Service.
I was pleased to see there was even a programme, although it didn’t include the dancers’ names. That was a shame, as I would have liked to highlight some of the standout performers.
I briefly attended dance school when I was younger and took part in one show, so I know how hard these dancers will have been working behind the scenes to get the choreography right.
Lighting was basic and there were no props, but there were costumes tailored to each song.
There was a wide age range of performers, from toddlers to adults.
There was a mix of tap, ballet and modern. I’ll admit I’m not a technical expert (just ask about the time I helped with a Royal Birmingham Ballet rehearsal).
This show had a lot of heart and a strong sense of community spirit. Not every dance was perfectly in sync, but that’s not really the point of a show like this. This was the community performing for the community. It was heartwarming to see children’s faces light up as they spotted their relatives in the audience—the little waves, the pride on their faces.
There was also a poignant moment, as Michelle’s mother passed away in 2025. One song was dedicated to her, and you could see the emotion in the dancers as their eyes filled up. It felt very real and very raw.
There were elements I enjoyed more than others. For best costumes, I’d give it to Class 3 for If I Only Had a Brain from The Wizard of Oz. For the dancing itself, the young adults stood out most. Their performance to Sparkling Diamonds from Moulin Rouge (choreographed by Miss Heather) had real energy and presence.
The adult routine to Mustang Sally felt a little underwhelming in comparison, and I think it could have benefited from a prop or projection to give it more impact.
I also thought the ballet to Defying Gravity by the Monday class was excellent.
Overall, it was very enjoyable to watch. When a young dancer went the wrong way on stage, it didn’t take anything away—in fact, it made the moment feel even more genuine.
For me, the show reflected the full journey of a dancer, from young beginners through to experienced performers.
This was a fantastic achievement, and the whole school should be proud. It takes real courage to get up on stage.
I don’t normally give star ratings to charity shows, so I won’t here. It’s only on for tonight unfortunately, but if I see them advertised again, I’d happily get another ticket.
Michelle’s School of Dance: Take A Bow – Phoenix Theatre, Blyth
Michelle’s School of Dance: Take a Bow’ – The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth
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