Newport's ballroom and classical dancing scene is no strictly guarded secret

PRIOR to 2004, the concept of celebrities, or pseudo-celebrities, dancing ‘old-fashioned’ ballroom and classical routines becoming a hit primetime Saturday TV show would have been unlikely.

But then Strictly Come Dancing arrived and everything changed.

Twelve years on, with that catchy theme – which you are quite likely to be humming to yourself at this moment – has become a staple part of life in the new millennium.

The romance of ballroom and classical dancing, which became so popular at the turn of last century, has been re-imagined and has re-emerged – through the medium of fake tan and sequins.

Newport may not appear at first glances like a hot bed of this form of dance. But you’d be surprised.

Located on Lower Dock Street, Danceworld has been teaching the young and old the differences between their quicksteps and foxtrots, their Charlestons from their cha-cha-chas.

Wendy Comfort and Emma Jones, who have both studied at the dance school in its current or previous guise, not only teach those learning to dance, but train those who compete.

“Emma was my pupil so it has all come down through the ranks. We are a bit like a family in some respects. My dance teacher was a like a mother to me and Emma is keeping this teacher-pupil relationship alive,” said Miss Comfort.

“I have danced for all my life. I started when I was just six years of age.”

Miss Comfort was taught by the school’s previous owners, Anne and Glyn Watkins, and she was their first pupil.

“They danced all around Newport and started the school more than 20 years ago.

“Anne is the founder of the school and she is still involved, although it is now Emma and I that run it, but she has retired.

“We are a competitive dance school so we’ve just come back from Blackpool with our formation team. We went there in October and they came third which was very good and we’ve also got children who compete there,” she added.

The school takes on all comers who have a passion for pasa doble and other such dances, all from the world of ballroom and classical.

“We cover all ages from four up to adults,” said Miss Comfort, “I train an amateur couple who are the third-ranked pairing in the country, so we are quite successful.

“There is a huge ballroom scene in Newport and the surrounding area. There’s a huge social scene attached to the dancing world as well.

“My mum, who is 77, goes dancing every night. There is something on in Newport all of the time.”

Next month, on December 2 at the Lysaght in Newport, the school will be putting on a dance show, which has become the hottest ticket in town.

“We have a big ball at the Lysaght on December 2 and I’ve restricted it to 100 people because of the size and the number of people dancing on the floor but I could have sold that twice over,” said Miss Comfort.

With 50 years dancing experience, Miss Comfort turned to dance teaching as a hobby once she retired.

“It is great to see the children develop over time. Some of our dancers have been with me from the ages of seven and eight,” she said.

“They are now 21 or 22 and the pride that you get seeing their success – they’ve won a British championship – is absolutely wonderful.”

The surge in popularity, particular among people in the mid-20s as well as men and boys, is in no small part down to the BBC dancing extravaganza, believes Miss Comfort.

“It’s hard to avoid the effect that Strictly Come Dancing has had on ballroom dancing. It has changed the perception within younger adults dramatically,” she said.

“We’ve got a social class here on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. You’ve got the mid-20s people attending which is great to see, even if they are dragging their partners here on occasion.

“I would say that men are not so keen at first, but once they get here, they love it. It is accessible to everyone. Across the ages that is similar. We have a few boys but it is mostly girls.

“Strictly is bringing more boys through though. It has made dancing more open to them. It has broken down a number of stigmas,” added Miss Comfort.

Having taught Miss Jones, the continuation with Danceworld has passed down through the teachers.

“Having Emma on board is great. It helps the younger dancers to have someone to emulate. After all, she’s the only one who got all of her medals. She did every single medal,” added Miss Comfort.

Even if other types of dancing, the more modern styles, have increased in popularity, ballroom and classical dancing will maintain its appeal.

“From across the age groups, we must have a couple of hundred who come to our school,” said Miss Comfort.

“It may be ‘old-fashioned’ but we have two 16-year-old dancers, a boy and a girl, for the demonstration in their tails and dress respectively.

“The audience at the Lysaght will be up to 95 years of age. They above all love to see the children in their costumes.”

While the school is based in Newport, Miss Comfort adds that there are many places to dance in the surrounding area, such as Cwmbran, Ebbw Vale and Newbridge.

For anyone looking to get involved in dancing, the dance teacher has the following advice.

“The best way to get involved is to come along to a beginners class. No matter how hard it feels at first, after a while, you begin to feel the music and get moving around the floor,” she said.

“It’s very enjoyable and very social. Everyone knows each other and it’s a wonderful environment.

“For anyone interested in ballroom or classical dancing, don’t hesitate. It’s great fun and there’s such a social side to it.

“We had a fish and chips supper down here last Friday.

“There were only about 30 or 40 people here but it was a great night. They learned dances which they did not know previously. All of them were new people and beginners to dancing but it’s increased their social circle.”

For information, visit danceworldnewport.co.uk.