Pennod 1 Ysgol Ddawns Anti Karen

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-Karen Pritchard, a dance teacher

-in the Caernarfon area.

-She's fun...

-She's fun...

-

-Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq...

-..six, swift... or whatever it is.

-A few butterflies, I want a wee.

-Sometimes angry.

-Excuse me,

-you're not in the correct position.

-A huge character.

-I'm fat but I'm not ugly!

-For the past 15 years, she's Anti

-Karen to hundreds of young dancers.

-This is Ysgol Ddawns Anti Karen.

-Do you feel like their mother

-sometimes?

-I don't know...

-Yes, yes, I am, Catrin!

-Yes.

-We'll follow Anti Karen

-and the dancers...

-..to a special competition

-in Preston.

-I'll worry until the result, but if

-we're not in the top four, I'll cry.

-She'll need to shake her pompoms

-for a competition in Blackpool.

-I feel sick, I just want something.

-It doesn't matter but it does.

-She'll be judged.

-All the parents expect the girls

-to be A1 so the pressure's on me.

-She'll put others

-under the microscope.

-This week, she has high hopes.

-Having my own place,

-that's the dream.

-She's under pressure

-to pick the best.

-I am worried,

-I haven't slept for five nights.

-Karen Pritchard was born, raised

-and raised her own family...

-..in Caernarfon.

-She lives with husband Dei

-and youngest daughter Awen.

-Where did it all begin?

-I've always liked dancing

-and when I'd go out...

-..when I was 16, I'd go on a bus

-to Cinderellas Rockerfellas...

-..in Chester.

-It's probably closed now.

-I'd go because they organized

-on-the-night dancing competitions.

-I often won the prize.

-Life without the dancing would be

-less hectic, less stressful...

-..but Karen wouldn't be happy

-without anything to do.

-That's the one I want.

-Do you want me to write it down?

-You don't need two - one's enough.

-I don't know

-what she'd do without it.

-She'd drive me nuts at home.

-When I danced solo,

-I didn't do routines.

-I just knew my moves,

-the music would come on...

-..and I just went with the flow.

-I danced to the music.

-Over the years, she's tried to

-juggle both jobs at the same time.

-She's busy every night

-after her day job.

-She tries to fit everything in

-during that time.

-By now,

-she sees dancing as another job.

-It's so stressful for her.

-It's a full-time job.

-She does so much at home.

-Awen has danced since she was four.

-Dei's still smiling.

-Eldest daughter Ffion lives nearby.

-Son Dylan helps out

-when he's needed.

-Dancing gear everywhere.

-Every single room.

-My bed is covered in dance costumes.

-I have to move them.

-Every time I'm here,

-someone's dancing.

-That's all I hear

-is dance music downstairs.

-When I'm studying, I can hear

-dance music when I'm working.

-In September, I thought

-about getting my own studio.

-That's my dream,

-to open my own place.

-Not being answerable to anyone,

-doing what I want.

-At the moment, Karen rehearses

-at different locations.

-Once, when I couldn't find anywhere,

-I had a group dancing in the house.

-Sometimes, I want an extra lesson

-at short notice with no venue.

-Hi, Beth, OK?

-It's me here.

-I think we have to change

-the cheerleader group lesson.

-We have to open the doors of Year 6

-to do the line one after the other.

-I use Y Gelli

-and I'm there every Wednesday.

-I was in Bont every Thursday

-but there's a club there now.

-I use Felin too.

-The hall is so big

-and it's a good floor - it's spongy.

-I use Syr Hugh sometimes -

-I can use the gym.

-OK, do it again, yes? Sara,

-make sure you're closer to Jody.

-I use four different places.

-It does take over a lot -

-it takes over her life.

-I still get everything I want.

-He always has done. Golden Boy.

-Look at her face.

-Mam said I could do anything.

-Don't start crying!

-Off you go. Look, cry-baby!

-Off you go. Look, cry-baby!

-

-She needs her own studio.

-She hires everywhere

-for her classes.

-I think having her own studio

-would be amazing.

-Five, six, seven, eight.

-As I get older, it gets more tiring.

-Girls, I'm tired. Please now.

-I eat irregularly

-and that doesn't help the way I am.

-I eat supper at 9.30pm,

-9.45pm sometimes.

-To turn the dream of her own studio

-into a reality...

-..Karen visits one of Caernarfon's

-largest industrial estates.

-I started thinking about finding

-my own place last year.

-I'm trying again this year.

-I heard that this place was empty.

-Having my own place,

-that's the dream.

-With my own place,

-I can do whatever I want.

-If I want solo lessons,

-I don't have to do them at home.

-With my own place,

-it'd be better for the girls.

-They know it's their place -

-that would be fantastic.

-It's a chance to open an academy.

-With my own place,

-I wouldn't have to say no.

-It's an opportunity for everyone

-to have a chance...

-..make new friends and perform well.

-I do hope I'll get my own place.

-Yes, I do.

-At the end of a busy term, the dream

-is put to one side for now.

-A colourful show is planned.

-One, two, three, four,

-five, six, seven, eight.

-The end of term show

-is my favourite.

-There's no pressure - it's purely

-for the girls' enjoyment.

-Everyone takes part.

-Then again, there is pressure.

-We can't have clothes here

-so take them downstairs.

-We need pigtails -

-can you be in charge of that?

-They're on second -

-pigtails for the zombies.

-Just... yeah?

-Karen has more things on her mind.

-The costumes, make-up and

-hairstyles are on her to-do list.

-Just saying hello

-and welcome to you all tonight.

-After all the work,

-hundreds turn up to watch...

-..one of the town's

-most energetic dance shows.

-Welcome to you all.

-I hope you enjoy the show.

-Sorry if my English is very Welsh.

-It's always a pleasure to perform

-in front of such a welcoming crowd.

-APPLAUSE

-I do feel as if I'm picking on them

-but I have to correct them.

-What happened?

-Do it again, don't walk away.

-I'm shaking. Look.

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-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-It's September

-and there's no time to waste.

-Karen hasn't secured

-her own studio yet...

-..so new dancers register

-at the local leisure centre.

-Over 150 eager youngsters

-want a place in the classes.

-The eldest ones are 18 years old,

-the youngest four years old.

-The club has grown over the years...

-..especially the past

-two or three years.

-More girls have joined.

-She's enjoying it -

-she's mad for dancing.

-The older children

-organize dance sessions...

-..while Karen looks on.

-..while Karen looks on.

-

-I'm helping out with Year 3 dancers.

-There are 21 of them. Don't ask!

-One, two, three...

-I've been dancing for Karen

-for almost four years.

-It's been one of the best things

-I've ever done.

-My confidence has improved

-since I started.

-Dancing definitely helps build

-children's confidence.

-They learn to perform

-in front of a lot of people.

-This also helps their confidence

-with schoolwork.

-A lot of girls were shy

-then came out of their shells.

-I think it's a good thing

-for everyone.

-It helps get you out of your shell

-to try new things.

-In dance this year, we had a flip.

-No way

-would I have done it last year.

-Since they gave me the confidence

-to do it, we all did it in the end.

-The moment I started,

-I knew I wanted to stay.

-I hope it's the same

-for everyone here today.

-It looks like fun.

-Exercise, keeping fit.

-It stops the children being at home

-playing on the computer or tablet.

-This is a great thing.

-Hello, sugar, hiya.

-My job is to keep everyone happy,

-the girls trust me.

-Can I put teddy over there

-to watch us?

-Over here, look.

-Behave yourself now.

-Karen's unique, isn't she?

-She has a great character.

-Alright? Yes, now.

-We're not here tomorrow, love.

-Hurry up!

-Karen's fantastic,

-to think she's only one person.

-She has so many children here

-and they all adore her.

-It's brilliant.

-Gwen and Alana, too.

-Is this Alana, yes?

-No, who's that?

-Demi, sorry!

-She's an incredible person.

-I love her, to be honest.

-Remember, welcome the little girls

-into your group, OK? Alright?

-In the midst of the fun,

-some bad news for Anti Karen.

-We've had an upset today

-from the council.

-I can't rent an unit in Cibyn...

-..because I'm not classed

-as industrial.

-It's in the price range I can afford

-- I can't afford 12,000 a year.

-It's kaput to our hopes to have

-a place for the girls to dance.

-After two then - one, two.

-As ever,

-she hides the disappointment...

-..and concentrates

-on the young dancers.

-Come and get your children.

-They're ready.

-Packed and ready to go.

-Throughout registration...

-..Karen's eagle eye has been

-identifying the strongest dancers.

-Over a cuppa in daughter Ffion's

-cafe, it's deliberation time.

-A cake to eat in

-and one to take home in a bag.

-Karen will have

-to make difficult decisions...

-..choosing the best dancers

-for the Under 12 A team.

-It's important to choose an A team

-because the competition is strong.

-You need the best girls

-in that team to try and win.

-It's important for everyone to have

-the chance to compete, perform...

-..work in a team

-and be part of a club.

-That's important,

-but competitions are competitions.

-You need commitment from the girls

-and parents to attend classes...

-..and do the extras.

-I've upset a lot of parents

-before today.

-They've wanted to know

-why their daughter wasn't chosen.

-I tell them

-I don't think they're ready.

-The enjoyment goes -

-I don't pick on the girls...

-..but I will correct them and a lot

-of girls don't like being corrected.

-I don't like upsetting children.

-I don't think I'm nervous this year

-but last year, I was like, erm...

-..and I'd panic when Anti Karen'd

-say, "Gwen, your moves are wrong."

-She never gives me a row,

-she's just trying to correct me.

-Sometimes I'd go home and cry -

-"Mam, Anti Karen gave me a row."

-But she hadn't.

-When Mam chooses the A teams,

-she's usually more stressed.

-She has to keep everyone happy.

-She's worried about upsetting

-the girls if they're not chosen.

-It's more stressful for us at home.

-Dad and I listen to it all

-and hear what she has to say.

-Can the original rhythm girls

-from last year please stand up?

-I'm going to call out the name

-of girls who'll join this group.

-Alright, OK.

-Stand to one side, girls.

-You can go and do a workshop.

-Tia Paige, can you stand up?

-You've been chosen to join them.

-OK, you can smile if you want. OK?

-I'm Tia Paige Wyn Jones.

-I've been dancing

-with Anti Karen for three years.

-When I heard, I was really

-looking forward and really excited.

-Next, Ela Haf.

-OK. Llio, Hannah.

-This is my first year

-as part of the A group.

-When I heard I was part

-of the A group...

-..I was excited and looking forward

-to making new friends.

-Amy and Leah.

-OK.

-Karen's chosen her A team. They'll

-be known as Fflamau'r Ddraig.

-Right then.

-You'd have thought I was sending you

-down to Year 1 and 2...

-..the way you reacted.

-Are you excited or not?

-What do you mean, yes?

-You were in the group anyway!

-One...

-The pressure will mount as they face

-their first competition.

-..three, four, five, six.

-The girls and their parents will

-need to give their full commitment.

-There's a lot of work and I'll

-explain this to your mothers.

-You must attend the classes

-and the extra class on Sunday.

-If you have something important on,

-text Anti Karen to tell me.

-Life would be so different

-without dancing.

-The last thing I want

-is to be on your case.

-I'm enough of a pain as it is.

-Sunday's important

-because we do the extra.

-I have no family life on Sunday

-and neither will you!

-Picking a team is horrible.

-Fantastic for you because you

-get the chance, but it's horrible.

-I hope you're happy

-and ready for the hard work.

-Ready, go, jump.

-Once again.

-That wasn't very good, was it?

-Karen and Fflamau'r Ddraig are

-preparing for the first competition.

-She's still rehearsing

-at four locations.

-As the competition approaches,

-the girls know they must attend.

-The girls have set positions.

-If one or two can't come and you

-want to move on, it's difficult.

-If some are part of a lift,

-you can't rehearse the lift.

-It's a step backwards

-and it's difficult.

-It's very important. You'd have

-to be in hospital not to attend.

-Three, four, five, six.

-Last-minute sewing.

-We're competing today.

-I'm off to rinse my hair,

-then I'll do my roots.

-Make-up, hair, everything going on.

-Make-up, hair, everything going on.

-

-Six, seven!

-I just want them to try their best

-and for us to be proud of them.

-Of course, we won't like losing,

-but we have to deal with that.

-We have a good chance

-and that's what's most important.

-The night before the competition,

-I was preparing hair.

-Tiffany was really ill at the class

-and that knocked us back.

-You can't change the whole dance

-but she was in key points...

-..in two places, more than anything.

-Should we change it or wait

-and see how she was the next day?

-I spoke to her father the next day

-and he said she felt ill.

-"Maybe she'll come this afternoon."

-I explained to him

-that I needed an answer by midday.

-If she couldn't come,

-I had to deal with the change.

-We had a half-hour rehearsal

-at Syr Hugh.

-He phoned to tell me she was better

-and wanted to come.

-Some last-minute lessons for Tiffany

-as she learns new moves...

-..on the morning of the competition.

-Anti Karen

-makes last-minute changes...

-..but still expects

-the highest standards.

-What happened?

-Go back and practise.

-Don't walk away.

-Gwen, it's as if you're doing

-a solo. Stick behind Nel Parry.

-Alright, OK.

-You, Nel, she sticks with you.

-OK, again.

-OK, one, two.

-One, ding.

-OK, OK, well done, girls.

-There's a lot of talent in this

-group - they've just clicked.

-That happens sometimes

-and it's amazing to watch.

-They're so young...

-..and they've had to learn

-a difficult dance, to be honest.

-After all the rehearsals,

-it's time for the competition.

-With 16 teams competing, Fflamau'r

-Ddraig face stiff competition.

-Before the performance,

-I was really nervous.

-When you see the audience,

-you think to yourself...

-.."I can't do this

-in front of all these people."

-When I start dancing,

-I don't care anymore.

-I'm shaking. Look.

-OK?

-You're OK there on your backsides,

-are you?

-Next to perform

-are Fflamau'r Ddraig.

-It's a waiting game

-but the long wait is over.

-Fflamau'r Ddraig

-are ready to perform.

-APPLAUSE

-Well done, girls.

-After the performance,

-they wait for the result.

-The winning team

-in a very good competition...

-Come on.

-..Fflamau'r Ddraig!

-Thank goodness,

-everything went to plan.

-They danced fantastically well.

-Fflamau'r Ddraig were on fire.

-Anti Karen is happy for now...

-..but will she be next time...

-..as the older dancers compete

-in Dream Makers in Preston?

-Catrin and Awen

-face a new challenge...

-..forcing Anti Karen

-into last-minute changes.

-I've been angry but not with her -

-with the circumstances really.

-S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.

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