Dance performance in aid of Dr Barnardo’s Homes by children at the Margaret Cross School of Dancing at Theatre Royal, Newcastle upon Tyne, on 18th February 1954. Footage includes school presentation of certificates with the Lord Mayor of Newcastle in attendance. Title: Children’s Matinee Title: Seaside Story by Dorothy Cross Title: A Children's Ballet in aid of Dr Barnardo's Homes (Barnardo Helpers League) at Theatre Royal, Newcastle 18th Feb 1954 Title: Presented by the...

Dance performance in aid of Dr Barnardo’s Homes by children at the Margaret Cross School of Dancing at Theatre Royal, Newcastle upon Tyne, on 18th February 1954. Footage includes school presentation of certificates with the Lord Mayor of Newcastle in attendance. Title: Children’s Matinee Title: Seaside Story by Dorothy Cross Title: A Children's Ballet in aid of Dr Barnardo's Homes (Barnardo Helpers League) at Theatre Royal, Newcastle 18th Feb 1954 Title: Presented by the Margaret Cross School of Dancing Title: The Right Worshipful, The Lord Mayor Of Newcastle, Alderman William McNeag, very kindly attended and presented certificates gained by pupils during the year 1953. A group of women stand with the Lord Mayor on a stage. A succession of individual girls accepts their certificates, shake hands with the Mayor, and curtsey. The theatre curtain rises. The stage is in frame and the performance filmed from various angles. Children of different ages take part in a number of dance sequences on stage for a performance of the Seaside Story. These include girls in bikinis with parasols, groups dressed in penguin costumes and in bird costumes. In the background, there is a beach, sea and boat set design and girls lounge on towels as if sunbathing. A group of toddlers pretend to play in sand, many wearing bonnets. They are herded into a group by a male actor in waders, playing a fisherman. A close-up of the fisherman follows. A young group act the roles of pirates. The man in waders chases them away. There are ballet dance sequences. One dramatic scene features a fight and the death of one character, then dragged off the stage by a dancer. Next, footage of group and solo performances by students include ballet, folk dance, tap or jazz dance routines, showgirl routines in the style of Hollywood or Broadway musicals, one with canes as accessories, and a Moulin Rouge style can-can. A man performs a solo dance, with a drummer and pianist playing at the back of the stage. Three couples partner each other in a presentation of ballroom dancing. An audience of men and women are seated at tables around the dance floor. Title: The Barnardo Helpers League & the Margaret Cross School of Dancing give most sincere & grateful thanks to all who contributed to the success of the Matinee. The End