Dazzling past of Guinea dance troupe fades Once the pride of Africa's dance scene, Guinea's Ballets Africains troupe has seen its star fall and fade, leaving ageing acrobats and singers to train a new generation facing a very uncertain future. The group was created in the early 1950s, when a newly independent Guinea began investing heavily in culture. But a lack of funding has chipped away at the pride and reputation of the dancers. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITESREFILING TO INCLUDE TEXT STORY