Episode 2 Taking the Next Step

This is Taking The Next Step,

the show where talented young dancers

compete for an amazing prize,

to guest role on the hit TV dance show, The Next Step.

# Come on, everybody, let's go... #

1,300 dancers applied to take part.

I'm going to do my audition for Taking The Next Step.

# Do it, do it, do it, do it

# Let's go... #

And we've travelled the length

and breadth of Britain on a quest to find the best.

Today, we're in Cardiff.

Glasgow. London. Manchester, are you ready?

-ALL:

-Yes!

-Nervous.

-I've been practising and practising like crazy.

If I was in The Next Step...

-It would be a dream come true.

-Show us what you've got.

From Bali to Bangor, a performance from every discipline turned out

in a bid to impress our three judges.

We're making dreams come true in here.

-BOTH:

-Yes!

They are...

professional dancer and former Pussycat Doll, Kimberly Wyatt,

star of stage and screen, John Partridge,

and director and choreographer, Simeon Qsyea.

But which dancer will join these guys and the rest of the cast?

It's Taking The Next Step.

The Taking The Next Step regional auditions roll on.

We've headed north to Glasgow.

THEY CHEER

-Our judges are ready.

-We are all looking for different things.

Kim is looking at dance and Simeon is looking at choreographic skills

and I'm looking at, more, acting.

I'm ready. You guys carry on, I'm just going to...

Yeah, I'm not going to warm up. I'm going to do MY job.

And our auditionees are definitely ready.

To be on The Next Step, it would be

all my Christmases and birthdays rolled into one.

-Today's challenge is simple.

-Let's dance.

Our dancers need to get three yeses to guarantee them

a place at Nationals.

-So let's take... ALL:

-The Next Step.

First to dance, it's 12-year-old Jay.

Jay, come on over. You look very calm.

You're looking cool as a cucumber. Is that how you're feeling?

Well, I'm a little bit nervous, but not too much.

-I'm just feeling excited.

-You're going to be great.

-Go on in there and impress those judges, OK?

-Thank you.

-Good luck.

-Hiya.

-Hiya.

-Hi, Jay. What style of dance are you going to be doing?

Well, it's a mixture of hip-hop, jazz and modern.

Why all of these styles?

Well, it's really like exciting and I can try like something new in it.

Cool, let's see this something new, Jay.

# Don't stop till you get enough... #

SHE WHOOPS

# Lovely

# Is the feelin' now

# I won't be complainin'

# Ooh, ooh

# The force is love power

# Keep on with the force, don't stop

# Don't stop till you get enough

# Keep on with the force don't stop

# Don't stop till you get enough

# Keep on with the force don't stop... #

Keep on, Jay, keep on!

# Don't stop till you get... # Keep on, yeah!

# Don't stop till you get enough... #

Yes! Jay, you're phenomenal. I loved it.

I love the fact that you've got a great technique

and everything that you did.

You've got a real good foundation from a variety of different

styles, and you do them all well.

Well done. Makes me very happy!

Clearly, there's something very special about you.

My only one concern is that character came out

when you started dancing, and I want that character to come out now.

That cheeky guy. There you go, that cheeky smile. I want to see that.

That's what I'm interested in.

You know, it's clear, we loved your dancing

but I am looking for a character as well, yeah?

I need all that swag,

all that energy, all that enthusiasm in you when you're stood right here,

when you come through the door and you start talking,

and not just when the music starts, yeah?

Well, we're going to have a little vote. Can Jay deliver?

Jay, all the way, yes!

It's a yes from me.

I now need you to come over here because there's something,

there you go, take that, my friend, and congratulations.

-On to the Nationals.

-See you at the National's, Jay.

-Bye!

THEY CHEER

Our Glasgow auditions are off with a bang,

thanks to Jay's high-octane performance.

But who will be joining him at Nationals?

It's over to 13-year-old Rhianne to introduce our next

group of auditionees.

I know Lewis because he's my brother.

And this is my mate, Roan.

-I am definitely the best dancer.

-Well...

-I've been doing it longer.

-I've been doing it for ten years.

-Well, I've just got natural talent.

-Um, yes.

-MOUTHS:

-I'm the best.

These guys all believe that they've got the moves.

But there's only one set of opinions that really count

and Rhianne is just minutes away from hearing them.

-Are you excited to perform today?

-Yeah, I'm really excited.

I guess if she gets through, there's more pressure on us.

Yeah, to get through, bit of rivalry, you know what I mean?

-The floor is yours.

-OK.

# Ouch

# I have lost myself again

# Lost myself

# And I am nowhere to be found

# Yeah, I think that I might break... #

I feel like you have nice ideas, but I don't feel the connection,

especially the connection between yourself and the music.

And I feel like that's what I was missing

the most from your performance.

-It's a no from me today.

-OK, thank you.

-Johnny.

-It would be a no from me too.

-Thank you.

So, it's a no today, but thank you so much.

-Disappointment for Rhianne.

-Aw.

-I love you, Rhianne.

Can older brother Lewis do any better?

-Hi.

-Hey.

Let's get straight to it. The floor is yours.

MUSIC: Weapon Of Choice by Fatboy Slim

# Don't be shocked

# By the tone of my voice

# Check out my new weapon

# Weapon of choice, yeah... #

Thank you, Lewis.

I think that you just need a bit more of a performance value

and you need to be able to clean up the choreography.

If it's going to be sort of '90s jazz, that's fine,

-but you've got to sell it.

-Yes.

-It's a no from me today, Lewis.

-Simeon.

-It's a no, Lewis, sorry.

-It's a no for today Lewis,

-thank you very much.

-Thank you.

So, with Lewis and Rhianne both out of the contest, the trio's hopes

of being represented at Nationals now rest solely with Roan.

-Hey.

-Hey.

-Roan.

-Yeah, Roan.

What would it mean for you to go to Nationals if you got through?

I don't even really know, because it would be so surreal.

I was so like hyper when I found out that I'd got here even.

So, yeah, I think I kind of scared my dad a bit.

HE LAUGHS

OK, well, enough talking, let's get to the dancing.

-Show me what you've got.

-OK.

# Bless your soul

# You've got your head in the clouds

# You made a fool out of you

# And, boy, she's bringing you down

# She made your heart melt

# But you're cold to the core

# Now rumour has it

# She ain't got your love any more

-# Rumour has it

-Rumour

-# Rumour has it

-Rumour

-# Rumour has it

-Rumour

-# Rumour has it

-Rumour

-# Rumour has it

-Rumour... #

THEY APPLAUD

-I like you, Roan.

-Ah, thank you, I like you too.

THEY LAUGH

That's even better. I like you even more now.

You gave me story in there. You gave me performance.

You told me how you were feeling, not just through your body,

but through your expression.

When it comes to your dancing,

you obviously know different styles, but you're not amazing at any one.

-Yeah.

-You just kind of know your moves.

You've got personality. You know how to talk.

Part of this job is being able to act as well as dance.

Yeah, I can see that street-dancing, hip-hop-wise,

you're not at the level where you need to be.

So I'm thinking to myself, "Do you have the potential to go through?

"Are you this guy? Do you deserve it?"

Well, yeah, I think I am.

Because if I've got potential and you guys can see it,

then I'm obviously going to work like a million times harder

and become that guy.

-OK, we're going to have a little vote.

-All right.

Let's see what happens. You need three to go through to Nationals.

OK, listen, it's a yes from me.

It's a tough one because...

-Come on, guys...

-Well, I'm looking at you and I'm like, I go,

I was honest with you, I told you,

I was, like, dance-wise it's not there yet.

We're not just looking for a dancer.

We're not even looking for the best actor.

We're looking for a kid that has potential, that we can help.

On that, you're right and it's a yes from me.

-Come up and get one of these.

-Ticket to Nationals.

Roan, we're putting a lot on the line for you, yes?

When you come back, you give it, you bring it!

-Congratulations. Celebrate!

-Congratulations, Roan. See you!

Go work it! Work!

Roan has done it.

His big personality has made a winning impression on the judges.

-Roan, did you get through?

-Yes, I did.

-Amazing!

-Oh, I know.

-You got a ticket to Nationals.

I got a ticket to Nationals.

We didn't get through,

but we're really proud of Roan for getting through.

In Manchester, 15-year-old Alice and her 13-year-old sister Julia were

also hoping to turn the next round of the contest into a family affair.

We've danced together all our lives.

She's danced since she was two and I've danced since I was three,

so it's like we've always been in similar classes.

We're like really close to each other. We get along really well.

Sometimes.

First up, it's Alice.

-How are you doing today, Alice?

-I'm very good, thank you. How are you?

I'm good, I'm really good. What does dancing mean to you, Alice?

It, like, it just means everything.

If I didn't dance, I couldn't stand here right now

because when I was little,

I used to walk into a room and burst into tears

because I was that shy.

So dancing helps to bring you out of yourself?

-Yes, definitely.

-Take you to another place?

-Yeah.

-Well, Alice, take us to another place right now.

-OK.

We're looking forward to it. Try not to be nervous. OK?

OK, thank you.

# Baby, I've been

# I've been praying hard

# Said no more counting dollars

# We'll be counting stars

# Yeah, we'll be counting stars

# I see this life like a swinging vine

# Swing my heart across the line

# In my face is flashing signs

# Seek it out and ye shall find... #

I love your attitude.

I just wanted it to have a bit more fluidity through

the whole thing. It was really sort of choppy.

This is what I'm doing, now this, now this, now this.

So I just think choreographically it needed a little bit of work

and that will come with strength.

The performance was in your face and giving you character.

For me, that got me,

but I could really see the bits in your technique that

wasn't as solid and a lot of that is actually to do with your precision

and the core strength that you have to have

-when you're doing this style.

-OK.

I enjoyed your performance.

I could see what dance means for you.

And that to me is probably more important than even this audition.

So we're going to take a vote now, Alice,

you need three yeses to go through.

-Kim?

-Alice is a no from me today.

-That's OK.

-It's a no for myself today, Alice.

-OK.

-Alice, it's a no from me today, I'm afraid.

-Bye.

Sadly, Alice leaves empty-handed.

-I didn't get it.

-You didn't, aw, never mind.

We'll find out how younger sister Julia gets on a bit later.

# Stand up... #

Our judges continue their search for the performer who has

what it takes to join the cast of The Next Step.

# Stand up... #

But winning the approval of our three industry professionals

clearly won't be easy.

# We run this town... #

Especially when they are each looking for something

different in every dancer.

# Don't mess around... #

Kimberly is focused firmly on technique.

The technique is getting there, but you just need more class.

You need more work. You need more experience.

Who's the scariest judge?

-Ooh, the scariest.

-Who's the hardest to impress?

I think the hardest to impress would have to be Kim.

I really want to like you.

But that performance needed to be practised for a good

solid 16 to 20 hours,

so you're not thinking about what comes next.

I think Kimberly is quite scary but you know...

She's all about the technique, isn't she?

25 years of dancing, I know good technique

and it takes a lot of practice.

So, yeah, I'm probably the tough one on that.

You're coming across as the scary one now.

-Oh, no! Maybe it's me.

-I think you're the tough one.

That's what I think.

# We run this town... #

Kimberly is notoriously tough to please.

So gaining a thumbs up from her is a massive achievement for anyone.

# Don't mess around... #

But for our next auditionee,

a yes from the former Pussycat Doll would mean everything.

-Hello.

-Hi.

-Macy.

-Yes.

Have you got any favourite dance stars or people that you

-were inspired by?

-Kimberly.

-Oh, I see.

-Oooh.

-Kimberly.

-Yes.

And what is it you love about Kimberly, Macy?

I don't know, I just love the way she dances like...

SHE SOBS

Oh, honey. I just want to give you a hug.

Come here, lovely. It's so nice to meet you. You're a gorgeous girl.

-I can't wait to see you dance.

-SOBS:

-Thank you.

-Oh-ho, honey.

-Take a deep breath.

-Come on, Macy.

# Hit the road, Jack

# And don't you come back

# No more, no more, no more, no more

# Hit the road, Jack

# And don't you come back no more

# What you say?

# Hit the road, Jack

# And don't you come back

# No more, no more, no more, no more

# Hit the road, Jack

# And don't you come back no more... #

-Macy, well done.

-Thank you.

That isn't easy, going from, you know, all these emotions

and then, you know what? The show must go on and turning it on.

And you did just that. I am very proud to be an idol of yours.

That feels very good cos you're a beautiful dancer.

I could really tell that you're an amazing dancer,

but I'm always looking for that extra thing

and you was bringing that extra thing so, well done.

Thank you.

-I loved it. I loved your energy, I loved your passion.

-Yeah.

I would have liked it a little bit more if we toned this down.

In some ways for me, it was taking away from your performance.

Now, you need three yeses to go through to Nationals,

so I'm going to start with Kimberly.

Macy, I'm fan-girling over you.

-It's a yes from me.

-SOBS:

-Thank you!

-It's a yes from me.

-Thank you.

Macy, Macy, Macy. What does this say?

-SOBS:

-Oh, no!

THEY LAUGH

Thank you so much!

-Thank you so much.

-There you go, well done.

-Well done, lovely, well done.

-Thank you so much.

-Thank you.

-Bye!

-It's a ticket! Oh, my goodness! How do you feel?

-Amazing.

What a sweetheart!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Macy has danced with the tears and pocketed a prized ticket.

I'm going to Nationals!

And she wasn't the only auditionee to win over the judges.

There was street dancer Sam, 13...

You're a fantastic dancer and you know how to perform.

Thank you for that, it's a yes.

# Would you let me... #

15-year-old Chloe...

# ..your beautiful tonight

# Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh... #

-I think you just danced your way to Nationals.

-Thank you.

Thank you so much, congratulations, Chloe.

I really, really enjoyed it. Bye-bye.

And 11-year-old Molly.

Well, Molly, well, you're like a little pocket rocket.

-It's a yes for me.

-It's a yes from me, Molly.

This means you're going to Nationals. Come over here.

Oh! You got a ticket! Oh, my goodness!

Leaving with a ticket to Nationals means party time.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

But among the dancers who are still to perform,

the mood is very different.

13-year-old Julia and 15-year-old Tia

are both still waiting to face the judges.

A seasoned performer, Tia is no stranger to auditions.

I've recently finished doing an 18-month run on

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory in West End.

When I'm dancing I feel like I can let go.

I can show my emotions and what I have.

I'm a little bit nervous, but I'm willing to go in there

and try my hardest.

-Tia.

-Yeah.

-How are you doing today, Tia?

I'm doing really well, thank you. Are you OK?

Awesome, yeah, I'm good, you know.

I'm excited to see you perform for us.

-Dance your heart out. We can't wait to see you.

-Thank you.

-OK.

# I can take so much

# Till I've had enough

# Cos I'm only human

# And I bleed when I fall down

# I'm only human

# And I crash and I break down

# Your words in my head

# Knives in my heart

# You build me up and then

# I fall apart

# Cos I'm only human. #

You've got a great face, Tia. The camera is going to love you.

-When you smile, you just radiate.

-Thanks.

-You do.

I think you're a great dancer, you're really strong,

and I enjoyed your performance. It's a yes for me.

-Thank you.

-I enjoyed your performance too.

I'm going to say yes.

Tia, it's going to be a no from me today.

OK.

It's not because I don't think you're a great dancer,

and it's not because I don't think you've got great qualities,

I just think for this, right now,

-it's not right.

-OK.

-Thanks, Tia.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

Well, I didn't see that one coming.

And it looks like Kimberly didn't either.

That surprised me.

I really thought you were going to be a yes. What was it?

-It's more of the same.

-Hm.

-And it's as simple as that.

We've had some really emotional stories that we've

connected to and I don't...

And I guess I'm holding out now for something different.

Now, I don't know what that is,

or even if there is something different.

So near and yet so far for Tia.

But our auditionees must convince all three

of our judges that they're the full package in order to progress.

Next up, it's 13-year-old Julia.

Remember, older sister Alice missed out on a ticket to Nationals.

So can Julia walk away with one today?

-Hi.

-ALL:

-Hello.

-How are you?

-I'm great, thank you very much.

How much do you love dancing?

It's the only thing I want to do in the whole wide world.

It means so much to me. If I didn't dance, I don't know what I'd do.

I'd just be sitting at home being bored all the time.

And I've made so many friends doing dance. I love it so much.

So how much would it really mean to you

to get through to the Nationals?

It would mean everything to me cos I want to like get

every opportunity I can before I have an operation so...

-Oh, what is the operation for?

-On my back.

-OK.

SHE SOBS

-Sorry.

-It's OK, take a moment, take a moment.

-SOBS:

-I have to have an operation on my back.

So I might not be able to dance.

Look, you're here now.

And I want you to take all of that feeling

and emotion you have right now

and I want you to dance through this, OK?

-Yeah.

-There you go. Be brave. OK? Can you do that for me?

-Yeah.

-All right. Let's do this.

-Come on, Julia.

# I keep going to the river

# I keep going to the river to pray

# Cos I need something

# That can wash out the pain

# And at most I'm sleeping

# All these demons away

# But your ghost, the ghost of you

# It keeps me awake

# I keep going to the river to pray

# Cos I need something

# That can wash out the pain

# And at most

# I'm sleeping all these demons away

# But your ghost, the ghost of you

# It keeps me awake. #

-You did great.

-Thank you.

-You were brilliant.

And I'd say more if I could,

but I'm a bit choked right now. I thought you were great.

-Really great.

-Kim?

Girl, you brought me to tears. You know what?

You're lucky, Julia. And this is why.

As dancers, we get to express

and because you are fighting through something that is

so difficult for you, you bring dance to life.

You make it art because you have something to say,

and that is a beautiful gift.

-So, Julia, you're amazing.

-Thank you.

-And a beautiful dancer. And I love the fight.

-Thanks.

So, we are going to go to a vote. This is for the Nationals.

Now you have to understand the competition is high.

And we're here and although now we are very emotional, we are

basing this on your dance ability.

I think you are an amazing dancer. And I think through

everything that you've been through, it shows in your dance.

-And it's a yes from me.

-Thank you.

Julia, it's an absolute yes.

One of the best auditions I've seen yet.

-Thank you.

-And John?

-You know what I'm going to say.

You are going to Nationals. Well done.

-Well done.

-Go on, celebrate!

Too much, this is too much.

I think she's coming. I hear a lot of claps.

-Julia, you got a ticket! Well done.

-Thank you.

How are you feeling?

-I can't really believe it.

-Well, you should believe it

cos there is a purple ticket in your hand.

-You're going to Nationals. Congratulations.

-Thank you.

-Well done, you. Go and celebrate, OK?

-Yeah, thank you.

-Julia's done it.

-Well done.

We'll be seeing her again in the next round.

I'm going to Nationals! Yay!

You would just go when the music

started and I'm just going to live!

What a performer!

That was a good little performance.

Oh, Simeon, I'm going to break your heart.

That's time up, so I just hope

they've done enough.

# Stand up! #