The executive committee and members of CCDA commissioned Patti to stage a 3 act ballet for the new Theatre’s opening celebrations. With a huge cast of 73 dancers – auditioned from 13 studios from across the Coast – it was a resounding success and made a significant financial contribution to the fledgling theatre.

The ballet…. “Pearl of the Sea” thus became the catalyst for the realization of dreams….

The excellent rapport between Patti, Margaret and Diane and the absolutely professional product they presented convinced the then Theatre Manager – Don Craig – of the potential for a Dance Company based at Laycock Street Theatre. He envisaged this as the apex of the dance pyramid on the Central Coast;- to nurture, encourage and promote talented young dancers in a professional environment.

At last – the seeds planted with faith and hope so long ago, finally burst forth and the Laycock Dance Theatre was born in early 1990.

Under the patronage of Christine Walsh AM, one of Australia’s leading ballerinas enjoying international status, and Ricardo Ella, 20 dancers were chosen for the Premier Season.

Laycock Dance Theatre was officially launched at a VIP cocktail party at Laycock Street Theatre on July 8th 1990, before a distinguished gathering of guests from the Arts, Politics and the Media.

Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer – Patti Gleeson, with co-founding Directors Margaret Zaia and Diane Booth, guest Choreographer Michael Montgomery, and fellow board members Alan Graham and John Kerr – outlined the company’s projects for 1990 and beyond. The ‘Friends of LDT’ was established including Ruth Dunn, an ex-dancer and eventual board member – to garner support for the new project.

The Gala Premier Performance was held on October 5th and 6th of that year, with Fiona Tonkin and David McAllister from the Australian Ballet (courtesy of Maina Geilgud) and Ricardo Ella as special guest artists. The Programme – ‘Swan Lake Act II’, ‘Rachmaninov Variations’, ‘Endgame’, and the ‘Sleeping Beauty Grand Pas’ was a sellout success….!

After the turning point of the 10th Anniversary in 2000 – Laycock Dance Theatre became CENTRAL DANCE COMPANY (Australia) and incorporation followed. With the introduction of the Cultural Laboratory – under the auspices of Gosford City Council – the Company was able to successfully showcase its talents and objectives to a more diverse audience by 2005 – when Dianne Drelincourt was appointed secretary and Newcastle representative.

Making the most impact on the Company’s vision of extending our boundaries has been the Cultural Exchange programme with Japan. Commencing in 1997 – Laycock Dance Theatre was welcomed to Gosford’s Sister City of Edogawa – where more than 1500 people witnessed the Company’s inaugural performance, in partnership with Japanese dancers from our host Studio and Tokyo Ballet Company. Added excitement to this visit was an invitation to repeat the performance with Fukui Ballet Company on the West coast – to again promote ‘peace, goodwill, and the development of ballet and cultural progress’. The significance of this was realized with the invitation from Mayor Holstein in July 1998 for the Fukui Ballet to celebrate with us the 10th Anniversary events of Laycock Street Theatre.

Further cultural exchange visits to Edogawa friends were initiated in January 1999, when the Company, with the support of Edogawa friends were invited to include a visit to Shizuoka – south of Tokyo – and perform with two more professional Dance companies. 2001 saw the newly vamped Central Dance Company return to Edogawa with Milanda de Mont and the combination of dance and the visual arts included in the presentation. An invitation to Tama City during the 2003 tour to Edogawa added to our growing list of friends and dance connections in Japan. In 2007 the dancers and support team again performed in Edogawa for a 45th Anniversary celebration of their own dancers, and included visits to Omachi, Nagano City as well and received 5 invitations to return in the near future.

In total, at our own expense – we have taken approximately 100 dancers and team to our Sister City and beyond in Japan, and they have reciprocated with approximately 55 visiting Gosford. Although Gosford Council has been such an ally in promoting and assisting with cultural exchange programmes – CDC is essentially self-funding ……

Besides Gosford and Wyong Districts – CDC accepts dancers from as far afield as Sydney/Penrith/Newcastle/Port Macquarie/Tamworth etc – and has built a reputation for professionalism, perseverance and artistic excellence …….

We look forward with renewed energy to celebrating another 18 years !!!! ……….