Magpie Dance were delighted to welcome an audience of over 300 to their annual full company production Our People at Langley Park Centre for Performing Arts on Sunday 27th July 2025.
This production was a celebration of Magpie Dance’s 40th anniversary and explored how society has changed over time and how we treat one another, as well as reflecting on Magpie Dance’s history, achievements and the people that have made it the success it is.
Over the past academic year (and the course of this artistic theme – Our People) Magpie Dancers have worked with visiting artists from other inclusive arts organisations such as Access All Areas, Amici, Candoco, Corali and Stopgap, attended trips and held a special Day of Dance for the Let’s Dance initiative founded by Angela Rippon CBE.
The event began with an exhibition, where audience members could learn all about the Our People project and reflect on the social history of disability and Magpie Dance’s history. You can view the exhibition timeline virtually here – click here
Youth and Adult technique dancers also taught classes to audience members inspired by the topics they have explored during this project.
This was followed by a full company performance where Magpie Dancers aged 3+ with learning disabilities performed on stage accompanied by a live band, they also premiered their new dance film People of the World.
Among the audience, Magpie Dance were delighted to welcome the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Bromley and broadcasting legend and Strictly Come Dancing star Angela Rippon CBE who enjoyed the exhibition, joined in workshops and greeted dancers, she said:
“I think it’s just a demonstration that we should never judge people. We should just let them show us who they are. And that’s what Magpie enables every one of those dancers to do”
Speaking of the whole Our People project, Magpie Dance’s Executive Director Laura Graham said:
“The whole project has been fantastic and provided our dancers with opportunities to integrate with other professionals as well as learning and reflecting on our history; the performance on the 27th July was the ultimate culmination of not only this artistic theme, but also our 40th anniversary – and as always, our dancers truly shone – the warmth and reception from the audience for each dancer was magical. I couldn’t think of a better way to have celebrated 40 years of Magpie Dance – thank you to everyone involved”.
A huge thank you to all who attended Our People and to those who made the event possible, Magpie Dance staff, volunteers and musicians, the venue and technical staff, Magpie parents, carers and support workers and of course all of the wonderful Magpie Dancers!
“I found the show very moving and emotional, and thought that it was highlighting a very important issue. I was very impressed by all the performances of the dancers.” – Audience Member
