Canadian producer and distributor Sphere Media has secured the rights to “Dancing With Diana: A Memoir” by Scottish/Canadian author Anne Allan, a dancer, London City Ballet mistress and the Princess of Wales’ former dance teacher, who co-choreographed Diana’s legendary “Uptown Girl” routine at Covent Garden. Two Rivers Media, the Glasgow-based indie founded by Alan Clements, and Sphere Media are entering into their first co-production on a 90-minute feature documentary based on Allan’s memoir, which was published last year. Sphere Abacus will distribute the documentary globally.
The documentary will chronicle the nine-year period from early 1981 when Allan served as Princess Diana’s private — and top secret — dance teacher. Over hundreds of weekly one-hour lessons at a private dance studio, teacher and pupil forged a close friendship as Diana negotiated stratospheric fame, the joy of motherhood, her crumbling marriage and her struggle with bulimia. In her role as confidante as well as teacher, Allan gained a unique insight into the princess’s life, challenges, passions and achievements.
Anne Allan said: “I am thrilled that Sphere Media and Two Rivers Media have chosen to bring to screen ‘Dancing with Diana.’ As a Glaswegian that lives in Canada, this is a very special partnership for me, that I’m so looking forward to seeing realized! During my time with the Princess, I was so fortunate to witness not only Diana’s profound love of dance, but a much more personal side of her. I hope that viewers of the documentary will appreciate this fresh look as well as discover a deeper understanding of just how extraordinary she was.”
The intimate, highly personal documentary will include never-before-seen archival material, including photographs, personal gifts and notes from the princess. It will also feature new interviews with royal insiders, celebrities, Hollywood A-listers and several of Diana’s closest friends. Seen through the lens of Allan’s memories, the audience will be guided through Diana’s transformation from shy newlywed to global superstar — a woman with the skill and confidence to dance in front of the world to Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl” at London’s Royal Opera House, partnered by Wayne Sleep, and take to the floor with John Travolta at The White House.
Marlo Miazga, president of Sphere Media, added: “It’s a rare thing to find a fresh angle on such an adored and explored public figure, but Anne’s memoir is a treasure trove of new perspectives and intimate insights into one of the most scrutinised women in history. It’s also exciting to be partnering with Two Rivers for the first time on a project that brings together both of our heritages with a story that will surely resonate with audiences around the world.”
Alan Clements, managing director and exec producer of Two Rivers, commented: “This project hits all the right notes for a co-production between our companies. The combination of our track records in producing remarkable stories from diverse perspectives with a distributor that leaves no stone unturned in finding audiences is a powerful partnership for success. Diana’s story is, of course, as enduring as it is poignant. The gems to be found in these memoirs represent a perfect and organic opportunity and we’re very excited to take it.”
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