Iconic is the theme of this year's 025 Dance Show and it's performances at the Regent Theatre certainly lived up to the title. 

This much-anticipated annual event plays host to a vast array of local and regional talent as dance schools, groups and individuals - of all styles and ages - showcase their wonderful abilities. The festival has now been running for twenty-four years and remains both vibrant and fresh while featuring participants from Staffordshire, Cheshire and the Northwest. 

The diverse offerings and community spirit of dance are always evident in the festival and the sheer energy and passion of performers is a joy to watch.

The Iconic theme this year clearly inspired dancers to compile performances which are exciting and innovative. Each night of the show (seven in total) features different genres of dance and music with all individuals and groups required to remember the theme and integrate it into performances.

Last night featured eight different groups including the talented Regent Theatre Academy who danced to the music of Icons Tina Turner and Elton John. Young people aged 11-18 gave their best to ensure the audience experienced an energetic and passionate display of dance moves and entertainment. 
Also performing last night was the Homegrown Youth Dance Company who performed an incredibly atmospheric piece of contemporary dance based on the work of film Icon Stanley Kubrick and the famous Kubrick Stare. This was a memorable and eerie routine which innovatively fused film and dance to create an impressice outcome. 
Belgrave St Bartholomew’s Academy featured very young dancers who were a sheer delight to watch. Dance Fusion Community Dance School Limited chose the Turn of the Millenium as their title piece. This featured a wide array of iconic tunes danced with enthusiasm. 
A real stand out performance came from Kidsgrove Care Solutions - a group for people with disabilities who require care and support. The dancers gave a very emotional performance to the music of Abba, the Bee Gees and other icons. It was evident they were loving the opportunity to be on stage and it was wonderful to see dance as a medium accessible to all. This performance was very deserving of the standing ovation it received from the audience.
The Minnie Skerrett School of Dance - who admit young people from the age of two years to study all genres of dance - were very professional in their choreography and performance as they celebrated Girl Power.
Ruskin Community High School chose the wonderful theme of Strike A Pose for their performance which was beautifully influenced by 70s Vogue in fashion and movement. 
Two other notable performances included Stagecoach Uttoxeter who named their set Visions in Motion - A Dance Odyssey, creatively incorporating cheerleading into their routine. Also St John Fisher Catholic College who took inspiration from Glastonbury icons to produce a mesmerising piece of dance to the music of artists such as Billie Ellish and Coldplay. 
The performance calibre all evening was outstanding and for lovers of dance it is a show not to be missed.

Reviewed by Carol Lovatt.

025 Iconic continues at The Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, until Wednesday 12 February