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ITV’s
Animal Roadshow, 3rd April 2005
In early March, Samantha, a Researcher from Lion TV telephoned asking if our group, Top Lodge Dancing Dogs would be available to take part as a feature for the new series of the ITV programme “Animal Roadshow” which was being filmed in Manchester during the first week in April. Checking diaries, we realised that two of Top Lodge Dancing Dogs Team, Kath Hardman and Lesley Neville were available but unfortunately our third member, Karen Sykes would be away on holiday. We explained that only two of us were free and they agreed to take us on. The next three weeks were spent organising on the telephone where and when and what would be expected of us.
We arrived in the outskirts of Manchester and easily pin pointed the “Animal Roadshow” with their huge red and yellow Big Top in Wythenshawe Park. We were welcomed by the security men who were maintaining the compound housing the Big Top and we were instantly invited inside to find out what would be required of us. The first shock was seeing the floor area on which we were to work. Having been assured that we would have had a large, safe grassy area on which to dance we were a little dismayed to see a wooden painted circular floor complete with “Animal Roadshow” logo approximately 6 yards in diameter, upon which had been positioned lighting gantries, spectator seating and camera tripods. This was to be our performance area! A quick rethink was required! We brought the dogs inside the Big Top to see how each dog would react to the surface and the surroundings; fortunately we had arrived in good time to do this. Lesley’s youngest dog, Angus decided that the large boom mounted camera was in reality a huge dragon which needed a good barking at; Lesley tried to persuade him that it was not going to eat him. Lesley’s other dog, Robbie was finding the surface slippery and Kath’s dog Ginnie was way too fast to be safe on the shiny floor. The decision was made for Kath to use her youngest dog Spice to demonstrate a complete routine as she was the smallest and lightest dog and seemed to cope well with the floor surface. Robbie and Ginnie, who did not believe in dragons, would work with the Presenters, Richard Arnold (GMTV Pick of the Day) and Julie Bradbury,(Watchdog) demonstrating a few simple moves which Lesley would teach them live on camera. “Be ready for you at 1 30pm” came the message, “no need to practice beforehand, we have three very good cameramen – they will get you and your dogs on film”. 1.15pm and we were ready, but then they started filming links to be spliced into future programmes, we met the production crew, everyone fell in love with Ginnie, Robbie and Spice as we still waited to be called to perform. We were actually told that in four days of filming our dogs were the quietest, most well-behaved that had been involved. So far - so good. At 1.30pm we were wired for sound and told that the microphones were live and that we should be very careful what we said or did as all would be relayed to the Director!
But, in true TV style, we were eventually called for the run through at 3.15pm! By this time we had forgotten all about the microphones and we had been chatting merrily away! Kath went through her routine without Spice so that the camera would have an idea of what they were eventually going to film. We chatted with Richard and Julie, Lesley then demonstrated the moves they were going to try – a spin, a single weave and a twirl repeated. Julie had a quick practise with Robbie and then told Kath the two questions she would be asked after dancing. We were nearly ready. But then the audience were invited in – about 70 people, dogs, children, prams and even ferrets entered the Big Top and were seated around the edge with their legs dangling over the stage – Kath and Spice now had a postage stamp sized area to dance on!! Yet another rehearsal with an imaginary Spice, Richard assuring the audience that there would be a dog dancing as well soon, then the Producer called for the first take.First take? We did it in one take! Spice and Kath had to hold the starting pose directly behind the Presenters for what seemed an eternity as they made their introductions, then Kath and Spice gave a wonderful performance to ‘Down by the Lazy River’. The audience were bursting into rapturous applause at each twirl, jump and spin which stunned both Kath and Spice. After the routine, Lesley and Robbie joined the group and after a couple of questions (which were different to the, original ones where answers had been prepared!) Lesley and Robbie demonstrated the few simple moves which Julie would try with Robbie and Richard would try with Ginnie.
Robbie and Ginnie happily joined in and worked the Presenters well. What troupers our dogs are! The message came through from the Production Department that they were very pleased with the one take. We all breathed a sigh of relief as it would have been a mammoth task to have to do it again. Before the audience dispersed we were then involved in the outtakes which would be edited into the programme, and posing for pictures with Richard and Julie. More clapping from the audience – more smiles from the audience and more links to introduce the “feature”.
At the end of filming, the Outside Broadcast Director entered the Big Top and introduced himself and said how much he had enjoyed our performances and how pleased he was that the feature went so well. What a long day. After a rewarding run in the park for our TV star dogs we set off on the journey home. Hopefully we have promoted our wonderful sport to a new audience, certainly those on the set were very impressed with what they had seen, many said that our dogs were the calmest dogs they had seen whilst waiting for the “action”, and as one ‘expert’ said he believed that it was because they are contented in their work. We understand that the series of programmes will be transmitted sometime in June so keep your eyes open for ITV’s “Animal Roadshow”.
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