Hackney students star in East Side Story dance film

East meet west: Hackney pupils in East Side Story

The quintessential American musical, a Mercury Prize-nominated band and a cast of young people from Hackney combine in a film that receives its premiere at the Hackney Empire this month.

C-12 Dance Theatre cast 45 Hackney students aged 13-19 to perform in East Side Story, a homage to Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s musical West Side Story with music donated by the Hackney-based band Rudimental.

The original fifties musical focuses on the rivalry between two teenage gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, and although one might be tempted to use the theme to highlight Hackney’s own gang problems, director and producer Adam Towndrow is more interested in sending out a positive message.

“It’s about celebrating creativity and individuality among young people in Hackney,” he says. “We want them to know they’re not just a number or a hoodie – there’s something special about each and every one of them.”

The film starts off by recreating West Side Story’s finger-clicking playground opening. The scene was shot at Clapton School for Girls, one of a few different Hackney locations used for the filming.

“It’s kind of celebrating Hackney places as well as people. We’re been at Hackney Empire, Gillett Square, Hackney Marshes and for the end of the film we’re shooting at Hackney Town Hall.”

The film is supported by Hackney Council and will be showed at the Empire on 7 February during  the annual Alter Ego youth talent competition. After the premiere of East Side Story, Towndrow has plans for more people to see the film.

“It’s going to go to some festivals after the premiere and will be available online so kids can access and refer to it. We’re then going to post it around and give it to dance places, youth places… this will be theirs, it’s all about providing them with this opportunity.”

www.c-12dancetheatre.com/productions/east-side-story