Episode 3 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.

# Let's 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 on The Next Step...

-It would be a dream come true.

Show us what you've got.

From ballet to bhangra, performers from every discipline

turned out in a bid to impress our three judges.

We are making dreams come true in here.

THEY SCREAM

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.

ALL CHEER

# Turn it up

# Lights, camera, action... #

The regional auditions are well underway

and the contest is hotting up.

-It's a yes from me.

-I'm going to say yes.

-It's a yes from me.

Competition is tough

and only the very best dancers will make it through to Nationals.

Especially as our three judges are all looking for different things.

I'm here looking at your performance.

I just didn't feel like you had the connection with the choreography.

I think your technique needs a lot of work.

We're in London and first up to audition, it's 11-year-old Abraham.

I've never really had a big audition like this before

so I just want to prove to myself that I am a good dancer.

For me, this is a really big event.

-You're so ready for this, aren't you?

-Yeah.

-You can't wait to get in there.

-Can't wait.

-Good luck. Get in there.

-Thank you.

-Hi.

-Hey.

-What's your name?

-Abraham.

Abraham. Now, are you a big fan of The Next Step?

-Massive fan.

-A massive fan?

-Yeah.

-Say it like you mean it.

Well, when you're ready, take the floor.

# Rolling fever, I'm on fire

# And tonight I'm going wild

# Oh, baby you got to be my ace in the hole

# I can't lose

# I can't lose when I'm round you

# Ooh

# I can't lose

# I can't lose

# Now I've found you

# Oh, yeah

# All night. #

What a performer.

You do have a tendency to just go through moves

and if you just give it some time to finish each one,

it's going to bring a real quality to your movement.

-Thank you.

-Tell me, are you self-taught, you go to classes?

Erm, mostly self-taught but when I was around eight years old

I started going to some street dance classes.

I really want you to progress,

really work on your foundation and your core technique.

You need three yeses to go through to the Nationals.

-OK.

-Kim?

-It's a yes.

-Thank you.

-John?

I liked it. I like you, I like your swag.

It's a yes from me.

It's a yes from me.

-Thank you.

-You know what that means?

You need to come up and collect one of these bad boys

-with a big smile on your face.

-JOHN LAUGHS

-Cos you're going to Nationals.

-Well done!

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Well done.

-Well done. Great audition.

-Now, go celebrate.

-Whoop-whoop!

-See you. Bye-bye.

'One audition and one ticket to Nationals.'

He's dancing like a grown-up.

-Yeah.

-I was like, "That's grown folk dancing."

Ticket to Nationals. Ticket to Nationals.

HE LAUGHS

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Abraham's audition has set the bar high.

Yeah!

But his fellow dancers are responding in style.

The result? A flurry of those all-important tickets.

It's a yes from me. Come get your ticket. You're going to Nationals.

Yes! Well done, Kyle.

Come get your ticket.

-Come and get your ticket.

-KIMBERLY SQUEALS

Thank you.

Can our next dancer continue the winning streak?

Meet 15-year-old Sofia.

I'm very, very excited but I'm also very nervous at the same time.

I'm really looking forward to it.

I think it's going to be a good experience.

-Now, I know you're a big fan of The Next Step, aren't you?

-Yes.

And, you will take this as a compliment,

the minute I saw you, you reminded me of Michelle.

Look, go and impress the judges. I'm crossing everything for you.

-Thank you.

-And good luck.

-Thanks.

-Get in there.

-Hi, Sofia. How are you?

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

-I'm good, thanks.

-Good.

-Are you excited to dance today?

I'm very excited, yes. A little bit nervous but excited.

-A bit nervous, yeah. The floor is yours.

-Thank you.

# In the blink of an eye

# I was falling from the sky

# In the blur

# You took my breath away

# And my heart starts beating

# And my lungs start breathing

# And the voice in my head starts screaming

# I'm alive

# You're like a laser light burning down

# Burning down on me

# You're like a laser light burning down

# Burning down on me

# You make me feel good

# You make me feel safe. #

You were just going when the music started and I'm just going to live!

SHE LAUGHS

But I loved your passion and I loved your enthusiasm and I love you.

-Thank you.

-All right?

I loved the energy.

We haven't had that much people during this competition

who's gave us that much energy.

I literally was like, "Dum-dum-dum-dum-dum.

"Oh, she's there now. OK. Hi."

And it was really nice to see.

I loved the drama, Sofia.

You were just living in it and you love it, don't you?

-You love to dance.

-Yes.

And I can see that but just got to work on the technique.

OK, yeah. Thank you.

So, you need three yeses to go to Nationals.

Let's start with Johnny.

Listen, I'm all for the energy and for the performance

and I loved that but, within that, you've got to make sure that

that energy isn't at the expense of your technique.

It's a no from myself.

OK.

-It's a no from me today. Keep on dancing.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

To get this far, you've done really, really well.

-Are you proud of yourself?

-Yeah, very.

-It was a good experience.

-I love it. You're smiling so much.

-Did you have a good time?

-Yes. It was very fun.

# Stand up... #

But a starring role on The Next Step doesn't only mean

learning to deal with success.

I've had so many noes I can't even count them

but I know that you have to fail in order to succeed.

You have to go through

those experiences in order to

eventually get a yes.

# Stand up. #

Next up it's 14-year-old street dancer, Rory.

He usually performs as part of a duo

alongside his mate Bailey,

who is also at today's auditions.

We met at a dance competition and we competed against each other

and then we started talking and became friends

and then became dance partners.

But today,

they're going head-to-head

for a ticket to Nationals.

Rory is first to face the judges.

Hey.

So, what are you going to give us today?

A performance.

Oh, a performance. Well, I'm not going to speak to you any more.

Show us. Take it away, the floor is yours.

# Work it harder, make it better

# Do it faster, makes us stronger

# More than ever, hour after

# Our work is never over

# Work it harder, make it better

# Do it faster, makes us stronger

# More than ever, hour after

# Our work is never over

# Work it harder, make it better

# Do it faster, makes us stronger

# More than ever, hour after

# Our work is never over. #

Your back som, it didn't work out and then your performance dropped.

I think you know that.

You started strong, I was feeling it, then you let that slip a little.

That being said, Rory, I like you, I liked it.

I think you've got a lot of charisma.

I think you want it so bad that you didn't sit in the music

as much as you could have.

But with that said, you've got so much to offer.

We're going to go to a vote.

You need three yeses to get through to Nationals.

I'm going to start with John.

It's a yes from me, Rory, I loved it.

-Thank you.

-Well done. Really good performance.

It's a definite yes from me.

Thank you.

Now, Rory, I'm a bit on the fence.

What would getting through to Nationals mean to you?

To get to the Nationals would be really good.

Something to work for and look forward to.

It's a yes from me. You, my friend, are going to Nationals.

-Yes!

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

'I feel really good for getting through. I'm really happy about it.'

I just hope that Bailey can make it through too.

# Jump, jump... #

So, with Rory safely through to Nationals,

Bailey faces an even more nerve-racking wait to perform.

Because next up it's 11-year-old Dwayne.

# I like my stuff knockin', knockin'

# I love it when a girl is like jockin', jockin'... #

Followed by Emmy, 13.

# Yeah, you know me

# I got you jumping and pumping and pump moving all around

# G in the mix... #

11-year-old Rory.

# They try to step to the Mac then they got jacked

# To the back you'll be sportin' the gear

# That's coincidental... #

And finally, it's Jude, also 11.

# ..you ain't ever heard

# And none faking you can understand every word

# Word, ha-ha-ha... #

With so many street dancers to choose from and only a limited

number of places at Nationals, the judges have decided

they need to take a second look before making their final decision.

To be certain, I would like to see you again.

-OK.

-We have the opportunity to call some people back

at the end of the day to have another go.

We have several street dancers coming back to our call-backs

and I feel like you should be one of them.

So, when you come back, you're going to have to kill it.

You are going to have to give it everything you've got. OK?

OK.

It's been a long wait

but Bailey's moment in the spotlight has finally arrived.

Remember his dance partner and best mate, Rory,

is already through to Nationals.

So, can Bailey join him?

Hi, Bailey.

-Hello.

-Are you excited to dance for us today?

-Yeah.

-How many years have you been dancing?

About six years now.

And what style will you be doing?

I'll be doing hip-hop and popping.

-All right, well, let's see you dance.

-Thank you.

# My hands, they're strong

# But my knees were far too weak

# To stand in your arms

# Without falling to your feet

# But there's a side to you that I never knew, never knew

# All the things you'd say They were never true, never true

# And the games you'd play You would always win, always win

# But I set fire to the rain

# Watched it pour as I touched your face

# Let it burn while I cried

# Cos I heard it screaming out your name

# Your name. #

Bailey, I thought it was fantastic. I really enjoyed that.

Such good quality of movement. Some of THE best street we've seen.

Definitely the best popping we've seen. It was absolutely fantastic.

I've been waiting. Kim knows.

Like, where's this guy or girl who's going to give me that rawness,

that something else, the edge.

Not the tricks, not the flips, somebody to give me the performance

backed up with the technique.

You're the person.

Thank you so much.

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

Don't break my heart.

Bailey, I thought your dancing was great

but I didn't feel it.

I'm looking for somebody that can show character

and I don't think you showed that so I don't know.

I saw it. You started off well and strong

and so I have to disagree with John.

We're going to go to a vote. You need three yeses to go to Nationals.

I'm backing you all the way, Bailey. It's a yes from me.

-Thank you.

-Simeon?

-You know it's a yes from me.

This is a really difficult one for me, Bailey.

-It should be an easy one for you.

-It should.

Unfortunately, we're looking for different things, guys.

And that's what this is about. We're not all looking for the same thing.

I don't know. I feel like he gave us what you want.

I think that Bailey has it.

At least bring him for a call-back then.

Yeah. Do you know what, Bailey?

Yeah. I would like to do that.

-We have a call-back at the end of the day.

-OK.

And, obviously, you know I'm on the fence about you

and I need to see you perform.

I need you to make me feel the way you feel when you're dancing.

-OK? So, we'll see you at the call-backs, Bailey.

-All right.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Bye.

With a host of starring roles on stage and screen on his CV,

John has been looking for more than simply a dancer.

Your performance was slightly lacking. You didn't look at us once.

And as an audience, you want to feel that I'm connected to you.

He wants an actor too.

When you dance, it's not just from here down.

You've got to use it all. You've to invite us in.

You've got to allow me to like it.

But finding the full package was proving a struggle.

You want to tell a story through that dance, you want to connect

to the music and that was the one thing I felt you didn't have today.

John's not easy to impress.

But for our next auditionee, winning him over would mean the world.

Now, you're a big fan of one of the judges, aren't you?

-Yes.

-Who's that?

-John.

-Why is that?

Cos he's been in Cats and I would love to be in Cats.

-Get in there.

-Thank you.

-Good luck.

-Thank you.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Isabella?

-Yes.

How much do you love dance?

I love it a lot. I'm just around dancing all the time.

So, you basically, you live, you breathe, you dream it, you eat it,

-dance is you.

-Yeah. I am dance.

-You are dance.

-I like that.

-JOHN LAUGHS

-Look at this, this is dance.

-I'm not going to hold you up any more.

-The floor is yours. Show us what you've got.

-Awesome.

# I can do it

# I can do it

# I can do it

# But 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. #

That was a good little performance.

One thing I do have to say,

you need to work on going through your feet

cos you was in the air and then I heard, "Pow!"

And I was like, "That was loud."

Other than that, it was great.

Thank you.

You're yummy. That was fun.

I got lost in it with you, which is when my job is the best.

Very inspired. You move like a professional.

-And I liked that.

-Thank you.

-You need three yeses to go through.

-Mm-hm.

John, yes or no for Nationals?

Yeah, Isabella, I like you.

-Thank you. I like you too.

-HE LAUGHS

We've been looking for somebody who can dance...

..and can speak and has character and has personality.

I think you might be the person that I've been waiting for.

I'm excited about you.

Don't get me wrong,

I love the confidence, yeah,

but if the confidence just steps over a little bit...

Yeah.

..that's not a good look, right?

No.

-Hands down, it's a yes from me.

-Thank you.

Kim?

Yes, Isabella, yes.

Thank you.

Looks like you're going to Nationals.

-Come get your ticket.

-Thank you so much.

Well done, Isabella.

-Well done, lovely.

-Well done.

-Thank you.

-You were great.

-Keep it up.

THEY SCREAM AND LAUGH

Yay, team!

-I didn't get through.

-Oh, sweetheart.

-Oh, you cheeky monkey.

-APPLAUSE

Success for Isabella.

Nationals, baby.

Backstage, five street dancers nervously await their second chance

to impress the judges at call-backs.

But now another dance style is under the spotlight.

So, Ishaan, I see you've got the old ballet shoes on today.

Is that what you're going to be doing for us today?

No. I'm going to be doing Morris dancing. No, I'm joking.

I'm going to be doing ballet.

# Hold back the river

# Let me look in your eyes

# Hold back the river

# So I can stop for a minute and be by your side. #

Ballet is very much about the technique

and very much about the form.

So, from me, it's going to be a no this time.

All three of our judges have had classical dance training.

So, those auditionees hoping to pirouette their way to a ticket

can't afford any slip-ups.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Harriet?

-Yes.

-How are you today, Harriet?

I'm really good, thank you. How are you?

-I am very well.

-Good.

I take it you'll be doing pointe work for us today.

-How long have you been en pointe?

-Since I was ten.

-Since you were ten. And you are now...?

-So, five years.

-You're 15?

-In your own time.

-Thank you.

-Try not to be nervous, yeah?

-Yes.

SOFT CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS

I loved it. It was just beautiful.

The technique is fantastic, the breath through the movement

is exquisite and your love for the dance really shines through.

The best ballet we've seen and it's en pointe. That's great.

-It's a yes from me.

-Thank you so much.

Your execution was really good but more important than technique,

I felt like you were dancing

and that's one of the biggest things I look for.

So, thank you for that.

-It's a yes.

-Thank you.

Harriet, I don't want to see the shy ballet girl.

I need something else other than that.

Obviously, this isn't just about your dancing,

we're also looking for an actress.

I need you to think about that...

Yeah.

..when you come back to Nationals.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Congratulations.

-Congratulations.

-Thank you so much.

-Well done. Really well done.

-Congratulations.

So, success

for prima ballerina, Harriet.

SHE LAUGHS

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

The day is drawing to a close, which means it's time

for those crucial call-backs.

Five street dancers -

Dwayne, Emmy, Bailey,

Jude and Rory -

will be going head-to-head in a bid to reach the next round.

The set-up for this is going to be very, very simple.

One of you is going to dance at a time

but the others are going to be there on the stage.

Each dancer will be freestyling to the same track.

All five could go through or none at all.

But to make it through to Nationals, they will have to give everything.

Now, we all see bags of potential in you

but now we need the performance.

We need to see you, as individuals, shine.

Dwayne, start on the spot. You guys go to the back.

-Let's do this. Keep the energy up.

-Really go for it, guys.

Really go for it. Yeah?

CLASSICAL MUSIC REMIXED TO A HIP-HOP BEAT PLAYS

And stop.

Emmy, come forward.

And thank you.

And stop.

Rory, you're next.

And thank you, Rory.

That's it. That's time up. So, I just hope they've done enough.

So, you guys have done a great job.

We're now going to have a little talk.

If you could wait outside, that would be great. Thank you.

-Well done, guys.

-Thank you.

-Well done.

JUDGES CLAP

There's nothing more that any of our dancers can do

apart from wait anxiously for the judges to reach their verdict.

-This one surprised me.

-This one did surprise me...

but not so much in a good way.

We've put somebody through very similar to this dancer.

This dancer has, like, raw talent

but it's not there yet, not competition, not Nationals.

And for Bailey, whose best mate Rory has already claimed a place

at Nationals, the stakes couldn't be any higher.

-'Did the judges like it?

-Well, they were smiling.'

-So, I hope that means that they like it.

-That's good then.

I love the way this dancer feels the rhythm but just that performance.

Just needed to come and kill it and just fell short.

My gut tells me there is something in that kid

that will be good, not only for this competition,

but for The Next Step and I've got to go with that.

'Deliberations done.'

It's time to find out who will be taking the next step to Nationals.

As you know, the competition has been really, really high

and I'd like to say you've done an amazing job.

Thank you.

But unfortunately, this time round,

you are not going through to the Nationals.

OK.

-I'm sorry, Dwayne, but we're not going to take you through.

-OK.

Unfortunately, mate, this time round, it's not your time today.

We had a chat about you, Jude.

That, mate, is your ticket to Nationals.

-Thank you.

-Yeah, come here. How do you feel about that?

-I'm really happy. Thank you.

-You did brilliantly, dude.

-You should be really proud of yourself.

-Thank you.

-We're looking forward to seeing you.

-Thank you.

-OK?

-Well done, Jude.

-Well done.

'Jude has done it and he's on his way to Nationals.'

Now, it's Bailey's turn to learn his fate.

His initial audition divided the judges.

But did his call-back performance win them over?

KIMBERLY: Hi, Bailey. How are you feeling?

-Nervous.

-Nervous.

-It's been a tough day, hasn't it?

-Yeah.

We've really had to take the time to find out

if you deserve a spot in the Nationals.

Yeah.

Rory has stuck around to give his friend some moral support

but he's feeling the tension too.

-I'm really nervous for him.

-You must be.

-Cos you got your ticket to Nationals, didn't you?

-Yeah.

So, it kind of all rests on this.

How much do you want him to come out of there with a ticket?

I really want him to come out of there with a ticket.

I know it means a lot to you because your mate has gone through.

Yeah.

This here, mate, is your ticket to Nationals.

Thank you.

Oh, I nearly had a heart attack.

He's got a ticket! Oh, my goodness.

I knew you'd do it.

Aw.

It's been a long day but it's all ended happily for Rory and Bailey.

# Let's do it

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

The curtain falls on our regional auditions.

When it's your time to shine, shine. Turn it on.

You've got to be ready now.

And it's a frantic race to secure

those all-important tickets to Nationals.

Great dancing, great work.

A-mazing.

I am pretty speechless right now.

# Stand up! #