HARLOW Ballet Association (HBA) is one of our town’s most treasured possessions.

The second page of the programme for their Triple Bill of Paquita, Les Sylphides and Peter Pan, has a photo of Diane Knighton in 1974 and another one of her (now Diane Taylor) in 2025.

Thursday night was a special night dedicated to a number of charities and community organisations.

Harlow MP Chris Vince was also in attendance.

As Vice Chair Barry Hudson says in the programme: “The dancers you see today carry the tradition laid down over the years and they are testament to the outstanding efforts of all the teachers and choreographers involved”.

The reason we had a triple bill was that lockdown prevented them performing both Peter Pan and Paquita.

One of the challenges for HBA is using the large stage at the Playhouse. Many organisations can put on productions upstairs to Theatre 2 but not the ballet, so it is a tribute with all three productions they filled the stage with dance, grace, athleticism and perfect choreography.

There was also the massive achievement of using every dancer and performer from the principals to the very young ones. But this was outstanding teamwork by the association.

With Paquita, we must praise the principals of Charlotte Damiral and William Ashdown. They were outstanding. But again, the company filled the stage. No-one was an “extra’, they all played their part.

From overture, to final curtain, we were there for two and half hours, but this was breathless, bold and beautiful.

We saw parts of Les Sylphides during Celebrate Harlow and again, this was, although traditional a study in the discipline and quality of HBA’s performers. There was a stillness to their movement but also perfect choreography.

We know there is a team of choreographers and directors out there and the whole production paid testament to their work.

The third production was a wonderfully comedic Peter Pan. We especially appreciated a wonderfully physical Damiel Pilson. However each principal: Rebecca Goody as Peter Pan, Holly Boylan as Wendy; Marysia Kuczynska as Tinkerbell, William Ashdown as Cape. Hook really brought the characters to life. Oh, Faith Williams as Crocodile as well!!

This was a mighty challenge, which the HBA rose to: to have so many Pirates, Lost Boys, Native Americans and Fairies in this production was stunning. All these names in the programme should be proud.

With a limited budget and a big stage, backdrops and props can be a bit of a challenge but HBA’s use of “less is more” was clever. From Wendy’s bedroom to the window, it was enchanting.

This was a triumphant triple bill that was so impressive, that gladdened the soul and will live long in the memory.

We are blessed in this town to have so much talent but we are also blessed to have so many dedicated people behind the scenes.

The shows continue until Sunday

https://playhouseharlow.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873651251