More news to follow about this venture!
This company has been formed with the sole purpose of perpetuating the legacy left to us through the history and development of western social dancing.
The Lost City of Z
Diana worked on this project, starring Charlie Hunnam and Sienna Miller, in Belfast. It is based on a true story about an explorer, Henry Fawcett (Hunnam) and his quest to find the lost city of the title. The film is set to be released this autumn, and has been selected to close the New York Film Festival.
War and Peace
Diana completed an extensive project working on the new BBC TV adaptation of War and Peace which was shown earlier this year. Filming in some of the most sought after locations of St Petersburg and then in Lithuania, this epic project showcased her expertise in both historical social dance and Russian and Polish Folk Dance.
Here is a short extract from The Radio Times. In response to having watched Episode 3, Sarah Doran writes on 24th January 2016:
“Andrei and Natasha’s wonderful waltz through the Russian winter palace’s ballroom (which wouldn’t have looked out of place on Strictly) was everything a period drama romance fan could have asked for.
it was beautifully interspersed with shots that told other elements of the story, the pacing, the choreography and acting combined to deliver a sumptuous Sunday night treat that set even the coldest hearts racing.
No wonder the waltz earned a 10 from Len, Darcy, Bruno and even Craig.”
Downton Abbey
Diana worked on the sixth and final series of Downton Abbey. In August 2015 the programme was honoured with a special award from BAFTA and Diana was delighted to be among the cast and crew at the presentation at the Richmond Theatre in London. The event was televised and broadcast in December as a tribute to the global phenomenon that is Downton Abbey.
At the BAFTA cast and crew award celebration
DVD Project
Later this year, Diana hopes to complete a DVD and music cd project with early music ensemble Insula Magica. This group of very talented musicians, led by Director Arkadij Bourkhanov and based in Novosibirsk, Western Siberia, is currently the only professional ensemble in Russia performing Medieval, Renaissance and early Baroque music in its original style. They are already established recording artists as well as concert performers.
In more detail, the project will comprise a DVD of dances from the Elizabethan period, demonstrated initially as a teaching aid and then finally as a finished performance in costume.
To accompany this, Insula Magica will record a cd of the music which can then be used independently of the DVD, once the dances have been studied. Because of the importance of getting the tempi right and understanding the need for a choice, the tunes will be recorded at varying speeds, to suit individual tastes.