It’s still not as widely known as perhaps it should be, but London’s hub for contemporary dance, The Place, is really worth investigating.
And it’s bagged an extremely fun-sounding night this month hosted by Broadway and film choreographer Anthony van Laast.
Recently awarded a CBE for his services to dance and choreography, Van Laast is perhaps best known as the man behind immense blockbusters Mamma Mia! and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. And let’s face it: we all love them.
His work for the stage also includes Sister Act (Broadway and West End) and most recently Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, which opened in London last year.
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However, interestingly enough, he started his career right at The Place as a student of London Contemporary Dance School with no interest whatsoever in musicals and “completely focused on being a contemporary dancer”.
It just shows you can’t plan your career (well, not entirely). Nonetheless, now one of the most commercially successful choreographers in the world, on the night he’ll be dishing up anecdotes, film-set gossip and tips.
Part lecture, part schmooze, you’ll learn secrets of the trade, from how he helped Emma Watson interact with an animated teapot in Beauty And The Beast to making Pierce Brosnan skip around the mountains in Greece.
And we’re hoping we’ll spill the beans on his latest project too: Cher’s upcoming tour. Camptastic.
Main image: PR
