Dancing Through Time: Carol Henchie School of Dancing Lights Up Reps Theatre

Carol Henchie School of Dancing dazzles Reps Theatre with a nostalgic, decade-spanning ballet showcase celebrating childhood, creativity and intergenerational artistry (image source)

A colourful sweep through 90 years of music and movement lit up Harare’s Reps Theatre on Saturday as the Carol Henchie School of Dancing presented Dancing the Decades, a nostalgic and joyous production featuring performers as young as three.

The show opened softly before bursting into applause as the youngest dancers, dressed in pastel costumes and glowing under warm stage lights, stepped onto the floor. That innocence set the emotional tempo for a production that blended history, ballet technique and intergenerational performance.

The 1930s kicked off with a lively Sing, Sing, Sing, whisking the audience into swing-era America.

The wartime 1940s followed through Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, complete with crisp salutes and sharp synchronisation.

The 1950s shimmered in petticoats to Blue Suede Shoes, while the 1960s softened into the sweetness of I Want to Hold Your Hand.

The 1970s delivered ABBA’s glittering Waterloo; the 1980s hit with Michael Jackson’s Black or White; and a classical breather arrived through a delicate piece set to Canon in D.

The 1990s surged with The Prince of Egypt, before the 2000s brought energetic colour with Katy Perry’s Hot and Cold.

Costumes, lighting and choreography tied the production into a cohesive journey. Smooth transitions, synchronised movement and painterly colour shifts created a polished visual narrative that delighted the packed theatre.

Founder and artistic director Carol Henchie told Southerton Business Times that every piece was intentionally crafted.

“Our dances aren’t just steps set to music,” she said. “They are living memories — reminders that movement connects us to who we were, who we are and who we can become.”

She emphasised ballet’s lifelong value, noting its ability to build confidence, resilience and courage in young performers.

By the final bow, Dancing the Decades had become more than a showcase — it was a celebration of childhood, creativity and the unifying power of dance across generations.