Jorvik Dance Silver Swans performing at York Theatre Royal

Jorvik Dance Silver Swans, whose owner/director Laucinda Roberts is licensed by the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), are putting on a demonstration at York Theatre Royal in St Leonard’s Place on Saturday September 28.

Various modifications of movement within the routines help ensure its an inclusive experience (Image: Kevin Glenton) The troupe’s performance is included as part of the York 50+ Festival 2024 running from September 24 to October 2, and around the time of the UN International Day of Older Persons on October 1.

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The festival, organised by York Older People’s Assembly, will be offering ‘118 diverse events organised by local and enthusiastic individuals and groups’.

Laucinda, the RAD Silver Swans licensee, met The Press at Huntington Memorial Hall in Strensall Road, where she was taking a group of around 20 over 55s through its weekly set of choreographed warm-ups and routines.

Laucinda Roberts, owner/director of Jorvik Dance (Image: Jorvik Dance) She also takes two weekly classes in Haxby, plus a further three weekly classes in market towns in North Yorkshire.

The mixed group in Huntington contained people retraining in ballet, or some with no previous experience and one ‘swan’ who had performed on stage 13 years ago with Carlos Acosta, one of ballets most famous dancers of the modern era.

Laucinda said: “The licence is to teach ballet to older learners in the community and I make the classes very inclusive.

“Adaptations are always offered in classes and it’s never too late to shine.

“Jorvik Dance has about 140 swans, all aged between 55 and 90, some with physical ailments and some not, some with dance experience and some with none.

“Whether it's a stiff knee through to Parkinson's disease, standing barre-free to seated all the way through, we can make the necessary adaptations for everyone to enjoy the class.

Frances and Rakesh Aggarwal are both expected to making their bow at the Theatre Royal (Image: Kevin Glenton) Frances and Rakesh Aggarwal are a married couple expected to be taking part in the demonstration at the end of the month.

Frances, 73, said: “I’ve been coming for two years now.

“I trained in ballet at school, I did it instead of swimming, but stopped when I was sixteen.

“It really helps with my balance and flexibility and everybody in the group is very friendly.

“The event at the Theatre Royal will be my first time performing in public and I’m looking forward to having a go.”

Barre work for the Jorvik Dance Silver Swans (Image: Kevin Glenton) Rakesh, 56, is also a massage therapist and he said: "I’d never performed ballet before and thought it sounded like fun.

“From my point of view what I see in the Silver Swans lessons helps understand movement and flex, and the modifications of the movements Laucinda makes ensures everyone can benefit because there are a range of abilities here.”

York 50+ Festival convener Professor Dianne Willcocks said: “The Silver Swans for me are a supreme example of older people learning in later life, giving back, enjoying themselves and giving pleasure to others.”