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In response to the many requests we
have received since the launch
of
the Corr's Irish Shoes website
regarding Julian’s dance background, professional theater
credits, and other credits in the performing arts, we have put
together some highlights from his ‘former career’. |
| Julian's ‘mum’, Maggie Corr, a
qualified RAD and IDTA Dance Teacher and Adjudicator and qualified
Physiotherapist, was always keen to have her son, Julian, take an
interest in dance, but soccer was more to his liking ... until he saw
the film “An American in Paris” at the age of 10 years old. Gene Kelly
became an inspiration to him as a Dancer who was both ‘believable’ in
his interpretation and one who gave a ‘masculine’ impression when
dancing (something of great importance). He wrote to Mr. Kelly at length
and even had the opportunity to meet him and spend some time with him
many years later, when they both appeared at a televised “Royal Command
Performance” at Drury Lane Theatre in London’s famous West End. From the
moment he saw Gene Kelly perform, he knew the direction he wanted to
take in life. |
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Julian as part of the original London cast of "42nd Street"
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Julian became a Full
Member of British Actor’s Equity by the age of 17, after having worked a
full year in the profession in order to meet the required
qualifications. He then spent every saved penny he had to go to New York
City to further study and train in the world of the Broadway dancer and
to learn the American approach and technique. He studied extensively, in
particular the ‘Luigi’s Jazz Technique’ and that of Rhett Dennis – two
major influences of the time. Upon his return to the UK he found
friendship and guidance from two mentors: one being the lead soloist
‘Namron’ from the London Contemporary Dance Theatre, from whom he learnt
and assisted in teaching master classes: the other being Charles Augins,
choreographer for “Bubbling Brown Sugar” among many other credentials
too numerous to mention. In particular, Mr. Augins’ technique required a
level of skill and strength which greatly appealed to Julian and was the
style he most closely adopted. |
Julian as part of the original London cast of Sondheim's "Follies" |
| Julian sought out the teachings of the very best in
the profession and went on to commence a career in London that included
five West End shows, amongst them: “42nd
Street” (understudying the Juvenile Lead), Sondheim’s “Follies” (playing
‘Young Buddy’) and “Me and My Girl”. Julian’s extensive
list of credits also includes “West Side Story” (Assistant
Choreographer), three Royal Command Performances, appearances with the
London Festival Ballet and the Glyndebourne Opera and numerous
television appearances - both in dancing and acting roles. He also became a
‘Paddy Stone’ Dancer (the famous and gifted Canadian choreographer,
known for his strict discipline and exacting standards, something
Julian greatly admired). Working for Paddy was somewhat of a ‘benchmark’
in the show business scene of the day, and was regarded as a ‘rite of
passage’. He has appeared at the World Famous ‘London Palladium’ and
‘Theatre Royal Drury Lane’. |
Julian's high-flying solo
in "Me and
My Girl" |
Julian taking his 'final bow'
in 'Me and My Girl". |
Julian's ‘after
hours’ career was on London’s jazz circuit, performing as a jazz singer
after he’d finished in a show for the night - something he became equally
obsessed with in his early 20’s and ever since (and something he is
still involved with to this day). He fronted a Dance Orchestra
called the “Radio Knights” as its Lead Singer and Master of Ceremonies, and regularly
performed for high society at London’s Ritz Hotel, The Hotel Savoy and
the Waldorf Hotel, and also at London hot-spot, “The Cotton Club”.
Julian also
taught dance classes for many years and was a resident teacher at London’s
Corona Academy in addition to teaching at the
London Weekend Arts College and the London Academy of Music and
Dramatic Art (LAMDA), where, by the way, he met his American wife,
Lisa. |
| Julian had a parallel interest in
the business of dance shoe manufacture, sales and marketing. This was
mostly fostered in him by his ‘Godfather’ and close family friend,
Rodney Freed – of “Freed’s of London” Ballet Shoes, who took Julian
under his wing and invited to live with his family in London as a very
young man. Julian was greatly influenced by Mr. Freed’s business and
took an interest in, and learnt a great deal about, the industry - always
feeling that it could be a viable future alternative career path. It was
one he had been immersed in all of his life, both from Rodney Freed and
his own Father, Roy James Wild, who has been a dancewear wholesaler,
manufacturer and retailer for the greater part of his life. Julian still
relies on the guidance and expertise of his parents in both practical
and technical matters, and to that of Mr. Freed, who is, in addition to
all of his references in the World of Ballet, an exceptional
master-craftsman and innovator of dancewear design. |
Julian and his Dad
Roy James Wild,
for whom
the Corr's 'James Roy'
Highland Ghillie was named. |
Julian & Lisa |
Julian decided to
finally hang up his dancing shoes at a relatively young age and
stage in his career, after serious consideration, in an effort to
provide his family with a more stable and secure future. He made this
decision before Irish Dancing became the worldwide phenomenon it did in
the early ‘90’s and is happy to be now involved in the World of Irish
Dance, and to be bringing his practical expertise to the industry and,
as a consequence, to the dancers, amongst whom he is glad to have made
many new friends |
Hero - a Corr's dog! |
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