The Geoff Bailey Dancers are a group of dancers based in Willingham, a village about ten miles north of cambridge.

Technical geniuses they may not be, but they do love to perform and entertain their audiences.

Over the years they have performed several major shows, all for charities within the area.

over the next few pages read all about Geoff and his dancers, maybe you are one of his original dancers? or would you like to join him and the dancers now and perform in the next show?

(check out future events on page 4)

written & edited by Helen Winter & Geoff Bailey

The Geoff Bailey Dancers started back in 1981, Geoff had trained with the I.D.T.A and wanted to share his love of dance with all who wished to learn. He started teaching in the village church hall on a wednesday night, as the numbers grew he moved to the local social club where he formed an exercise group, under 15 and adults,

The first show was organised, with Geoff's sister and his good friend sarah keeping the show together, acting as old women daydreaming whilst cleaning, "spring into dance" was the beginning of many shows for the dancers the next was a pantomime, written by Sarah again, called "down in the garden" adults and youngsters all working together, nobody technically perfect but all a star on the night, that was something  Geoff cared about and carried on proving as more shows were performed, slowly technique and styles changed, the dancers got better with each show, even though dancers came and went a few faithful dancers stayed on for years and as the troupe got more well known, dancers from all over cambridge came to have a try out. 

In 1986,`87and 1992 three major shows were performed at cottenham V.C  then in 1994 a performance at the mumford theatre all performed for charity, many small shows and competitions ran along side main ones, keeping the dancers very busy, Geoff also found he had to get regular stage hands and seamstresses, many old dancers and even some parents got involved, Sarah who had danced and written for Geoff was now his regular compere, keeping shows together and  giving dancers time to change costumes.                                  

 

The first competition dancing the dancers did was between themselves, Geoff decided the best way to encourage his  young dancers was to see how they got on making up their own dances, so first a double competition then a singles, the dancers enjoyed the fun of choreographing their own dance and then performing them in front of a panel of judges and their friends and family, Geoff even got a few ideas from these simple dances, some were used in our 2nd production "DOWN IN THE GARDEN" Geoff then got brave and suggested a foursome, again the dancers came through and a few of these were performed when Geoff was asked to help the shop C&A perform a fashion show at the Guild hall in Cambridge.

Around this time Geoff was also getting asked if his troupe could perform at local garden parties, village fete's and gala's, even Willingham's local amateur dramatic club the W.A.M.A.D.S asked the dancers to become the "jitterbugs" for their performance of "wizard of oz"

the first full show to be put on was "night inspirations" the dancers had by now been together for 4 years, the show was performed to raise money for charity and was a hit with all family and friends, the dancers were then asked by the local youth group leader Gerry Sturt if they would like to enter the "superdance competition" of course Geoff did not hesitate and two teams were entered and after many hours of practice and many tears and tantrums (not just by the dancers) both teams got through to the semi-finals,

the next show was in 1987 "lust control" the name was a little risky as was some of the dances infact as the show was held in a school Geoff had to prove it wasn't to much for some of the younger members! another two night sell out and the dancers were now ranging from the Bailey tots up to the more mature parents,

in 1992 "children of the night" was performed this show was now being performed by some very long established dancers and a few new ones (infact it was mine and Geoff's tenth year performing together) every year the dancers had to be assessed by the I.D.T.A and in this show they performed one that they had received a lot of praise for  don't worry by kim appleby 

in 1992 a show suitably named "one voice " was performed at the mumford theatre cambridge exploring the works of New Seekers lead singer Eve Graham it was the dancers biggest show to date. this show sold out days after going on sale and Eve her self lent support both in attending and performing at the end of the show. rave reviews followed and the dance group moved up to new level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE FUTURE

looking to the future in 2004+ we must believe in magic tour, pop in the park ,strawberry fair, the folk festival and east anglia dance festival

please revisit and keep up to date with performance confirmation

 

the Geoff bailey dancers are still meeting every wednesday night at willingham school and are still in demand for local functions and events. currently hard at work rehearsing for the new show "we must believe in magic" which opens at the new state of the art theatre complex at comberton  on january 30/31st 2004 now is the time to join !

 class times

6.15 pm-7.30 dancing

7.30-8.30 aerobics

rehearsal days mondays, thursdays, sundays as and when required