AN ADULT dance troupe from Cheney Manor was highly commended for their performance at the London Palladium.

Ovation, run by Sarah Josh Corcoran of Haydon End, performed two numbers for thousands of fans at the West End venue in First Class, a showcase of talent from across the UK.

Sarah said the performance would be a day she, and the other dancers, would never forget.

“It was just such an honour to perform on that stage,” she said.

“All the dancers really rose to the occasion. The audience was full and extremely supportive.”

At the end of the evening the troupe was commended by West End performer Gary Watson, who is currently starring in Chorus Line at the London Palladium.

Sarah said: “It was a real surprise at the end of the show when he made reference to Ovation saying the dancers were amazing and the choreography was outstanding.

“As a choreographer you don’t usually get the recognition so it was really nice, that was the highlight for me. There is a lot of blood, sweat and tears that goes on behind the scenes so it was great that so many people appreciated it.”

The 10 members of the troupe travelled to London on Sunday, after five weeks of rehearsals. They performed a cabaret-style dance to Ay Caramba, from the musical Copacabana, and a moodier piece to Disturbia, by pop star Rihanna, alongside dancers from all over the country. The troupe took part in a masterclass with Gary Watson, who warmed up the dancers and showed them a routine.

The rest of the day was filled with rehearsals ahead of the evening performance at 6.30pm.

Sarah said: “It was a wonderful but really intense day.

“Backstage gave us the feel of being somewhere very special. There were lots of photos of stars such as Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra – the list was endless. It was amazing to think they had once performed there.”

Mother-of-two Sarah started the troupe in 2010, and now works with 12 women aged between 18 and 35.

The troupe keeps a strict schedule, practising every Sunday at 8.30am at the BPM active studios.

Sarah put the group together for dancers who had day jobs, but still wanted to perform.

“There’s plenty for children around but there’s not much for adults,” she said.

The troupe is the reigning Swindon’s Got Talent Champions from 2011, and has performed all over Swindon, including Swindon Town Football Club and the ExCeL arena.

They auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent this year, where they won four ‘yes’ votes from the judges, although they didn’t get through to the live auditions.

They did get through to the live auditions for Britain Does Variety, where they performed in front of Prince Charles.

For details email Sarah on sarahjosh@ymail.com or visit www.facebook.com/pages/ Ovation-Dance-o/253720207972119?fref=ts.Alternatively you can email Sarah on sarahjosh@ymail.com.