An interview with Next Door Dance

What’s it been like to revisit the work after a couple of years?

Really good, its cemented it in our brains again and found fresh new things within it but it has also felt quite cosy and comfy because we know it so well. It not been forgotten and muscle memory is definitely still there, thankfully!

Were you a football fan before the show or have you now become one?

I’m not a football fan but I really appreciate the love of team sports and the passion it sparks.

Tell us your favourite moment from the performance! 

I love the point where David Beckham joins us in the show for a fleeting moment. I also enjoy a moment where we sit and listen to a story about cohesion, teamwork and the love of football, it’s a really lovely moment and the audience really connect with it.

What do you want the audience to go away feeling about the experience?

I would like them to have the feeling of a warm cosy hug, and make them relive a memory of football and spark conversation about an experience they had.

Which town(s) are you looking forward to visiting with the show and why?

Really excited about visiting pretty theatre venues like Bordon and anywhere I’ve not visited in the UK before like Henley- On- Thames

What’s it been like to revisit the work after a couple of years?

Really fun, finding new bits in it that I’ve forgotten happens but I think that has come because we have had to teach it to a new person. Its been fun finding little improvements here and there as well. 

Were you a football fan before the show or have you now become one?

I would say yes I was a fan before but the show has made me understand the game and everything that surrounds it more and now I notice more things about football when I’m watching a match.  

Tell us your favourite moment from the performance!

The moment we spell the word LOVE with our football scarves, its very fleeting but I like to see the look of realisation on audience members faces.

What do you want the audience to go away feeling about the experience?

Like they’ve had a good time and that they’ve seen a different side to football, more of the silly side to it.  I think people can take it too seriously and we sometimes need to remember the fun in it. 

Which town(s) are you looking forward to visiting with the show and why?

Anywhere by the sea because we are from the midlands so we rarely get to see the sea! So definitely Wells next to the Sea and Shoreham-By-Sea

What is your link to football (if any)?

I always say my football career peaked in 2001 when I was 10 years old, I used to wear a matching white Adidas tracksuit with bright pink football socks and my hair in a plait.  I don’t know what position I used to play, I just remember running around like a mad person and I was quite competitively aggressive for my young age! In 2001 I also won player of the year where I got a brass trophy of a man!

How have you found learning the show so far?

In the first couple of days, it was a lot of information to take in as it was using a new skill that I wasn’t used to using as my background is in theatre rather than dance or movement but by the Wednesday I’d really got in the groove and found confidence in it and I’m really enjoying it. I’m finding it a really stimulating challenge and it’s always nice to do something that challenges me.

What is your favourite part of the show (so far)?

Favourite dance so far is fans or the Spanish section and I really enjoy watching the Ref section. 

What is your link to football (if any)?

My little sister has played my whole life and she has played for Scotland as the Goalie.  She started off on a boys team, which is why she started in goal because they said to her ‘you can go in goal because you’re a girl! ’

How have you found learning the show so far?

It’s been really fun and it’s been a really positive working environment. I feel like we’ve done a lot in a short space of time but I don’t feel overwhelmed by it. 

What is your favourite part of the show so far?

Gold! In the very last scene, I like the images that come together to make those final moments of celebration….. and I used to do Irish Dancing so I like the little Irish dancing bit in it.