Yes, like others who've posted already, I loved the rehearsal shots and found the dancing breathtaking, but hated those awful shiny frocks and ghastly wigs the girls wore (who on earth thought that one up? Wig manufacturers?). They actually detracted from the dancing in the performance, for me at any rate.

I was brought up in Northern Ireland, where some of the girls did Irish dance (this was in the 1950s/60s). They had pretty, flowing, knee-length dresses with "Celtic knot" patterns embroidered on them, and also wore matching capes that were fastened on at the shoulders by some sort of clip or brooch. The costumes were really attractive and swirled with them as they danced, not like those stiff, doll-like garments they wear now. And no wigs, of course and no lipstick or other adult makeup. Where did it all go wrong? Is this the American influence, as some of you seem to be suggesting?

And if a competition's not fun, what's it for? It must be great to win, but if you don't, why (as one youth seemed to be suggesting) would you have to give up dancing? It's not as if there was only room in the world for one dancer in each gender/age category - these youngsters are all worth watching, and capable of providing great entertainment to others. I'd like to have seen more emphasis on celebrating all their achievements together, rather than seeing dance turned into a competitive sport.

But perhaps I'm missing the point of "The World". I'd just like to think that there were other occasions where these young dancers could enjoy and display their dancing without most of them coming away disappointed.

Marje