Dance floors are being laid, lights are being focused and limbs are being stretched in preparation for the 2007 Body Festival of Dance and Physical Theatre, which opens in Christchurch on 19 September.

The first week sees performances from the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Helen Moran and Unitec, with three very different productions.Dance floors are being laid, lights are being focused and limbs are being stretched in preparation for the 2007 Body Festival of Dance and Physical Theatre, which opens in Christchurch on 19 September.

The first week sees performances from the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Helen Moran and Unitec, with three very different productions.The Royal New Zealand Ballet's all-new production of Cinderella breathes new life into the much-loved rags-to-riches tale. Featuring designs by Tracy Grant (The Wedding) and choreography by renowned UK choreographer Christopher Hampson (Esquisses), this enchanting production will delight audiences of all ages.

Unitec presents 12 progressive and innovative dancer choreographers from the senior year of New Zealand's leading contemporary dance and choreography degree.

The Bone Keeper by Helen Moran contains echoes of the Sedna myth, Persephone and Demeter, Hatupatu and the Bird Woman, Lady Death and Gaia.

Workshops are also on the agenda with the opportunity to have a go at salsa and merengue, belly dancing, jive, bachata, tango, flamenco, ceroc, Israeli folk dancing, hip hop, Rueda de Casino, English Cotswold dancing and many more styles in the first week alone.

When: 19 September - 7 October 2007
Where: Various venues around Christchurch

17/9/07