Star dancers visit Cannock school

Professional dancers tangoed their way into a Staffordshire school for a workshop that proved almost as popular with the boys as it did with the girls.

Dancers Richard Manuel and Pauline Reibell were teaching the basic moves of the Argentinian dance to pupils at Cannock Chase High School.

The couple are currently taking part in the dance showcase Midnight Tango starring Strictly Come Dancing's Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone at the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton.

But they took time out yesterday to take part in a week-long arts festival at the Hednesford Road school.

Around 20 girls and 15 boys signed up for the workshop and afterwards put questions to the couple in an informal Q & A session.

Grand Theatre spokeswoman Vicky Price, who accompanied the dancers, said: "The pupils loved it, and we were delighted to see so many boys there. Everyone had a great time."

The Grand has provided activities at the school throughout the week. Among them have been a lighting and sound workshop, a demonstration by Glee choir mistress Elaine Buckland and choreographer Lindsey Grant, and a careers talk by theatre chief executive Peter Cutchie.

Today backstage hand Martin Meecham will be demonstrating the art of fire juggling.

Richard, who has taught and performed in Argentina, Cuba, France, Portugal, Spain and Sweden, has teamed up with Paris-based partner Pauline to stage tango classes at all levels across the UK.

At Cannock Chase High, he taught the students to focus on the music and use the minimum of movement.

Chasefest 2012 is the school's second multi-arts festival.

It culminates today in Chase Rocks, an outdoor concert in which both students and staff will take to the stage.

Strictly star Vincent and Flavia have taken Midnight Tango back on the road for another UK tour following last year's successful national run.

The former ballroom dancing world champions are joined in the dance extravaganza – which is choreographed by So You Think You Can Dance? judge Arlene Phillips – by 10 of the finest tango dancers in the world, including Richard and Pauline.