OLYMPIC DANCING IN BUTE STREET

With the Olympic Flame heading to Cardiff Bay the Old NatWest Building has been involved in an Olympics inspired dance film, ‘Dancing Parallel’. The film features 12 young dancers between the ages of 14 and 18 and will be shown in theatres throughout the UK to support the forthcoming Olympics. ‘Dancing Parallel’ is a groundbreaking collaborative effort from Scottish Ballet, English National Ballet and National Dance Company Wales.

Filmmaker, Nic Sandiland, filmed the routine in the disused vault and Banking Hall of the former bank. Student, Theo Llewellyn, 16, said: “The film is a fusion of different dance styles, from street – like myself – to more traditional forms like tap and ballet. We have all collaborated and come up with something we think is quite cool and unique.”

Overseeing the production is National Dance Company Wales Participation Officer, Isabelle Drummond. After filming had wrapped in the Old NatWest Building, Isabelle was thrilled with the results. She said: “We had a really great weekend filming in the bank – it is such an incredible space. I am really looking forward to seeing the end result.”

Although intended to promote the Olympic games, the film is also hoping to encourage young people to explore their cities and environments through dance and the free-running style – parkour.
In addition to bringing their own styles and influences to the piece, the dancers have also helped raise money for the project. Since being chosen for ‘Dancing Parallel’ 19-year-old Hannah Maloney, from Cwmbran, has raised £806 through a variety of methods including a duck race, sponsorships and donations from Dance World. She said: “I was quite shocked to be chosen, but it is a fantastic opportunity.”

By utilising the Old NatWest Building, the team working on ‘Dancing Parallel’ is aiming to send an Olympic message – that polar opposites can come together to create something truly special.

John Munton, concierge at the Old NatWest Building, feels the banking Hall’s Grecian-style pillars reflect the true spirit of the Olympics. He said: “The building has a sense of history. It has been used for many TV shows in recent times such as Upstairs Downstairs, Doctor Who and Being Human. It is gratifying to see the building used to celebrate such a world wide event.”