Hackney schools in Guinness World Record dance attempt

Sarah Ingrams, Reporter Friday, May 18, 2012
9:40 AM

Hundreds of schoolchildren across Hackney are in rehearsals this morning, preparing for the biggest dance of their lives.

They will all perform the same routine at 1pm as part of the Big Dance which hopes to set a Guinness Word Record for the largest number of people performing the same dance at the same time in different places.

Pupils from sixteen primary, secondary and dance schools, including Grasmere Primary, Springfield Community Primary, Clapton Girls’ Academy and Lauriston Primary, are taking part.

They have been learning the five-minute routine, composed by resident choreographer of the Royal Ballet, Wayne McGregor, for weeks.

Dance teacher Amanda Benjamin (from Dance @ The Cube), who taught the routine to children at Grasmere Primary, said: “All the actions in the dance are recognisable, like throwing a basketball or bouncing it, so it’s within their frame of reference.

“The idea is that the dance raises awareness of sports.

“In general the children are picking it up really well.”

Part of the Cultural Olympiad, the Big Dance Schools’ Pledge will culminate in the London 2012 Festival in July.