Gay Harris Dancers’ Junior Showtime at Rhyl Pavilion

Aug 1 2008 By David Rutland

IT’S that time of year again! Rhyl’s biggest and most popular children’s dancing troupe is staging its annual extravaganza at the town’s Pavilion Theatre. More than 100 dancers will be taking part in the Gay Harris Dancers’ Junior Showtime throughout August.

Renowned throughout North Wales and beyond, the girls and boys are putting on four shows demonstrating their extraordinary talents in dancing and footwork.

"It is not just a dance school show," said Gay, who has been staging Junior Showtime at the Pavilion for the past 12 years, and for 35 in total.

"There is lots more to it. We do comedy and musical theatre as well. It is a very entertaining show and they are extremely good at it.

"You would be amazed how many people come to Rhyl from far away just to see us."

Dance tracks are painstakingly put together and choreographed by Gay’s daughter Adele over several weeks.

Gay is reluctant to reveal what the acts will be for fear of spoiling the surprise, but did reveal: "It’s the usual mixture of songs and dancing and there’s lots of comedy.

"This year we’ll be finishing with a big rock finale."

Membership of the troupe has remained high despite the overshadowing threat to the theatre.

"It seems alright for this year, but the theatre needs funding for the following years or they might not be able to continue," she said.

The majority of performers are girls although the number of boys has remained steady for the last few years.

Although there are boys in the troupe, they are outnumbered approximately 10 to one by the girls.

"We’ve only got 12 boys," said Gay. "The problem is probably with the name, but to change it would be ridiculous."

The Gay Harris Dancers are to perform at 7.30pm on August 8, 17 and 24.

For ticket details call the Pavilion Box office on 0870 330 0000. All money raised goes into paying for shows next year.