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29 January 2019
Headington Dance Scholar Rheia is to appear in front of an audience of millions after securing a spot in the live shows of a BBC talent show.
Rheia, L5, was asked to join ‘Company Jinks’, a 14-piece contemporary/commercial dance troupe after four of the initial line-up from the auditions of ‘The Greatest Dancer’ were unable to commit to the live shows.
At 15, Rheia is the youngest of the group, which includes a host of professional dancers aged up to 29. ‘Company Jinks’ is one of three acts selected by ‘Glee’ and Broadway star Matthew Morrison for the live shows.
On Saturday 2nd February, Rheia will take to the stage alongside eight other dance acts showcasing a wide range of different styles, with ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ star Oti Mabuse and singer Cheryl taking on Dance Captain duties alongside Matthew Morrison.
The dancers are vying for a chance to perform on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and a £50,000 prize and will face a public vote to remain in the competition.
Rheia, who is also an Academic Scholar and studies both ballet and contemporary dance at Headington, has been rehearsing with the group since October as well as becoming acclimatised to life backstage on a major prime-time television show.
She said: “It’s been really fun and it’s really exciting to see the set, the filming and all the work which goes on behind stage. I’m not expecting to win – even though it would be nice – it’s an honour just to be asked and getting the chance to perform on live shows is pretty exciting.”
Rheia would not be drawn on her tip for the overall winners, saying each of the final nine had different attributes and qualities, but she gave a hint of what to expect from Saturday’s show.
She said: “We get given challenges for each live show and that includes props and themes. You might see some different things on stage. It’s not something I am used to and if you mess up one tiny bit, you mess up the whole dance because it’s so fast.”
