Maresa von Stockert is not a dance maker to be trifled with. Ms Stockert can craft a movement, write a line or two and direct some of the best dance/physical theatre around and all before lunch, so be careful.

When last we featured Tilted Productions it was way back in 2004 with 'Adventures in Black and Green' a sublime duet featuring the company's signature top drawer writing and performances.

'Trapped' is a very different work, in terms of scale and story, but it is no less impressive in every respect. With minimal set and exposition the company create a convincing world of pervasive surveillance, government interference and subtle intimidation. It speaks of both today's world, covered in CCTV cameras and government snooping, and the almost comical behaviour of the East German security services before the Berlin Wall came down.

We, here in TheLab™, are also happy to report the return on Russell Raisey who's voice featured heavily in 'Adventures in Black and Green'.

Tilted say of this work;

"Imagine a place where thoughts are overheard and dreams are monitored; where intimate letters get scanned and a warped sense of reality rules over reason. In our surveillance-obsessed times, TrAPPED explores notions of personal freedom.

Unfolding like a film, TrAPPED tells the stories of five characters in a surreal Kafkaesque landscape. Subtly, a commentary emerges on the CCTV-laden world of today and the bygone era of the German Democratic Republic."

The company's final show of the current tour is at the Exeter Northcott Theatre on 24th June followed by an 8 performance run at this year's Fringe Festival in Edinburgh. Further touring expected in the Autumn.

'Trapped' is performed by Lise Manavit, Amy Bell, Jake Ingram-Dodd, Simon Palmer and Phil Williams with music by Jeremy Cox.

[ Tilted Productions Website ]
[ 'Adventures in Black and Green' on Article19 ]

The end of the world is not going to be pretty. Finding a parking space is going to be a lot easier but on the whole things are going to be rather unpleasant, especially if you like social networking or doing anything that involves more than two people!

Lost Dog are exploring just such a theme in their duet 'The Rain Parade' performed for the last time on its current tour at the Lowry Theatre in Manchester.

In telling the story the company use the classic cinematic "MacGuffin" principal. We're not told what has caused civilization to come crashing down or where all the people have gone. 'The Rain Parade' concerns itself with how the two central characters deal with the situation and the mysterious folks who appear to be watching them.

The company say of this work;

This blackly comic and provocative new duet looks forward to the end of the world. Mankind's last three survivors are left trying to make sense of what happened and piece together some kind of coherent history - but they can't remember much and they can't agree on anything.

Is this really all there is to show for mankind's great civilization?

For the moment 'The Rain Parade' is on a break from touring but may be back later in the year. The company themselves are plotting new works and they should see the light of day in the Autumn.

Keep your eyes on their website for more information.

Our video feature includes footage from the show and an interview with both Ben Duke and Raquel Meseguer.

'The Rain Parade' is performed by Ben Duke and Raquel Meseguer with music by Jamie McCarthy.

[ Lost Dog Website ]

The average hard-core dance maker has more than enough trouble making work that will engage the imagination of a regular, skeptical adult. Imagine if your life's work involved coming up with ideas to engage the minds of people that paid attention to everything you said and everything you did! Yes, we're talking about children.

You know you're on to a good thing with a show like 'The Tell Woman' when, upon hearing the central character say "mummy and daddy are horrible", you get an audible cry of disbelief from the assembled audience of youngsters.

'The Tell Woman', aimed at 4-10 year olds, is the story of the keeper of all stories (straight away we love it) and her endless struggle to keep those stories from the forces of darkness. "Evil Confuser Hands", "Sproings" and "Snufflers" all come along for the ride as "Sam" fights the good fight in search of a compelling yarn or two.

The company say of this show;

"The Tell Woman is a visually stunning theatre show combining dance, puppetry and sound to create a fantastic fairy tale for the under tens. Funny, mysterious and sometimes a bit yucky, The Tell Woman draws on children's own experiences to ask: where do stories come from?

The world of The Tell Woman is a magical place full of weird creatures, some friendly, and some not so friendly. These creatures live in a land made from the enormous skirt of The Tell Woman. Here they come and go, appear and disappear, through folds and flaps, tunnels and trapdoors."

'The Tell Woman' is performed by Nikky Smedley, Emma Burns, Holly Denoon, Sioda Martin and Bryony Perkins with music by Kathy Hinde and Mathew Olden.

The company's next performance is on May 31st at The Lowry Theatre in Manchester.

[ The Tell Woman Website ]

If you want your dance/physical theatre edgy then look no further than mainland Europe. There's a lot of angst, a lot of pent up energy and they've got the skills to pull the whole thing off. Enter, stage-left, DOT504 from the Czech Republic.

Formed in 2006 the company have created and toured several works. 'Holdin' Fast' is coming to the end of its touring life for now but is a striking example of the company's craft.

We have no idea why they are called DOT504, we could ask of course but there has to be some mystery left in the universe!

If you like your movement grounded and taught then this is the company for you. All those hours in contact improvisation class will pay off if you persevere. This company provide a masterclass in just how two or three dancers work together sans "awkward elbows". A sizable amount of the spoken word (in both Czech and English depending on where you see the show) adds a great deal to the mix.

Using press speak the company tell us this;

"Three couples in changing possibilities of sexual relationships. A dream of desire and dependency, where dancers´ bodies fall under the pressure of the other, to bear testimony to passion, dynamics and the intensity of relationships."

Short and to the point just the way we like it.

The last scheduled performance is in Dundee at The Rep Theatre on May 19. After the that the company will be touring new work around Europe. Keep an eye on their website for details.

'Holdin' Fast' is performed by Helena Arenbergerová, Michaela Ottová, Lenka Vágnerová, Petr Opavský, Pavel Mašek, Daniel Raček with Choreography by Jozef Fruček & Linda Kapetanea.

[ DOT504 Website ]

Zimbabwean dance maker Bawren Tavaziva and Tavaziva Dance come to Article19 with two works from their brand new touring production featuring four pieces of work. Three of them new and one them, 'Silent Steps', created by Harriet Macauley for her own company Pair Dance.

Tavaziva have been up running now for the last four years and the current tour brings a fair bit of diversity in terms of tone and content. We have some out and out dance making with 'Kenyan Athlete' and some heavy political comment from 'My Friend Robert'. The other two works that form the complete tour are 'Sinful Intimacies' and the aforementioned 'Silent Steps'

First up we have 'Kenyan Athlete' of which the press speak tell us;

"This new group work takes it's starting point from the expression "the sun is beautiful people" that inspired Bawren's highly successful Beautiful People for the Without Walls festivals consortium. Kenyan Athlete is set to a fast-paced soundtrack, exploring the beauty and physicality of Kenyan people and their surroundings."

It might be hard to believe but Robert Mugabe, the "sort of" President of Zimbabwe, was once a hero to many of his countrymen before the power went straight to his head and his country went on a seemingly endless downward spiral.

'My Friend Robert' takes a long hard look at Mr Mugabe and the havoc he has brought upon Zimbabwe. Politics is a tough subject to cover with a dance work but Tavaziva bring brevity, clarity and class to the stage.

Press wise we have this:

"Bawren draws on his personal experiences and memories of growing up in the newly-independent Zimbabwe of Robert Mugabe, a leader of promise and vision, adored by his people. So what went wrong?

Where do the visionary dreams, empowerment, redistribution of resources and flag-waving shade off into megalomania, economic meltdown, corruption and violence? Bawren's latest group work offers a deeply personal comment on the challenges facing Africa today. "

'My Friend Robert' and 'Kenyan Athlete' are performed by: Amanda Lewis, Anna Watkins, Ingrid Abbot, Everton Wood and Gerrard Martin.

The companies next performance is at the Carriage Works Theatre in Leeds on March 17th touring through to the end of March.

Full details on the company's website.

[ Tavaziva Website ]

filmed by Neil Nisbet

Sometimes when you go to the theatre to see some new work all you're really looking for is the opportunity to see someone enjoying their craft. We often use the term "dance maker" on Article19. We like it because it suggest to us, here in TheLab™, people diligently working to piece together movement, phrase by phrase like a Swiss watchmaker building a Tag-Heur.

That's what we have here with Verve 09, a group of dancers and dance makers enjoying their craft. Verve is a graduate company, based at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds, but they could probably give most seasoned dance companies a run for their money.

For their tour Verve have a collection of 6 new works by Milan Kozánek, Filip Van Hufel, Glenn Wilkinson, Katie Baldwin, Jennifer-Lynne Crawford and Leanne Pike.

For you, our dear readers, we have 'Niners' (video one) by Glenn Wilkinson and 'This is not a love song' (video two) by Filip Van Hufel. During their long tour the company will perform a mixed bill of various combination's of the six pieces.

for 'Niners' the press speak says;

Divided into nine equal sections the choreography derives its inspiration from the 'Family of Essences'. Each section of the sound score corresponds with a colour; the movement is a direct response to the sound and the colour it represents. This gives each segment its own particular mood, lending the whole an almost disjointed yet united structure.

'This is not a love story' has this to say;

In This is not a love song eleven dancers meet, interact, play and struggle. They are assembled on a physical playground, performing abstract movement material layered with theatrical intention and extreme physicality.

Dancers are: Christina Robinson, Jaeyun Kim, Jessica Hothersall, Jimin Park, Judith Clijsters, Kristina Alleyne, Leigh Pearce, Nathalie Wahlberg, Nicholas Keegan, Peri Warren and Robert Goodby.

Verve will be touring through July. Their next show is at the Mermaid Arts Centre on March 7th followed by the Showroom Theatre in Chichester on March 11th. Full touring details in the PDF embedded below and you can keep up with the company via the NSCD website.

[ NSCD Website ]
[ Verve 08 on Article19 ]
[ Verve 07 on Article19 ]

filmed by Neil Nisbet

With a name like Mad Dogs Dance Theatre you can throw out any expectations of demure, wafty dance making. 'Beast' is a good old fashion throw back to the days of Euro Crash, when choreography was, to be blunt, just a little bit brutal.

It's hardly surprising considering the theme of the work which is all about rage and what happens when it takes over and the beast of the title is released.

The style of dance making is a little bit surprising however since Douglas Thorpe, the creator, has spent his time working with the likes of Arthur Pita, Javier Du Frutos and Henri Oguike, non of whom you could describe as being brutal in their dance making in any way!

The work was derived from an extended residency at Yorkshire Dance and is, as yet, not a full blown touring work. If and when it does we will let you now but for the moment you should bug Yorkshire Dance in Leeds if you want some more information about this particular creation.

'Beast' is also a good illustration to dance students about why you need to do your cardio work. If you don't, you're never going to make it to end of a work like this.

It would be great to see it extended and fully fleshed out, a great addition to the mix in the UK's wacky world of dance.

'Beast' is performed by Lisa Welham, Kevin Turner, Ana Lujan Sanchez, Tiia Ourilla, Anthony Missen and Dane Hurst with music by Jaydev Mistry.

[ Yorkshire Dance ]

filmed by Neil Nisbet

Candoco Dance Company kick off 2009 with their new works by Hofesh Shechter and Nigel Charnock. An interesting mix of the new and old, a bit of calming chaos versus the slightly unhinged!

We all know about Mr Shechter, if you don't then where have you been for the last 12 months? With Candoco he's showing a different side though with 'The Perfect Human'. It's a more subtle work that never raises its voice beyond a whisper but retains some of the ubiquitous dance makers sense of humour.

In press speak we have this;

"The piece starts by presenting us with the perfect human and ends with an anxious getaway with helicopter sounds looming above. Apart from its dense character other strong aspects of this piece are the contagious music - which alternates between rhythmic drums and lyrical classical music - and the relentless movement that is carried throughout."

Nigel Charnock on the other hand is, after 20 years in the dance world, still raising hell with his signature blend of comedy, loud music, bad language and sharp movement and the audience, to their credit, still love it. It's appropriate then that his work for Candoco is called, simply enough, 'Still'.

Press jargon describes this work thus;

"In the piece Still audiences get the chance to experience a very theatrical style of contemporary dance. Still is anything but. Nigel Charnock's patchwork of ideas takes the dancers in a constant whirl guided by his eclectic choice of music. There are microphones and music boxes, knickers and bondage, love and death."

'Still' and 'The Perfect Human' are performed by; Annie Hanauer, Chris Owen, Bettina Carpi, Victoria Malin, Elinor Baker, Darren Anderson and Cornelia Kip Lee.

Candoco will continue touring through to April. Their next show is at The Brewhouse in Taunton on January 29th. Full details and more touring info on the company's tour microsite.

Bonus Footage

This footage was shot during the after show discussion and features Stine Nilsen, one of Candoco AD's and the dancers discussing the company and their work.

[ Candoco Microsite ]
[ Candoco Company Website ]

Filmed by Neil Nisbet

Almost during the last breath of 2008 we, here in TheLab™, caught our final show of 2008, the end of year show from the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance featuring the 3rd year and degree level students from the Dundee based school.

SSCD took a slightly different path with an evening length work 'Hard Rain', running to almost 90 minutes, choreographed by the schools director Peter Royston and former student Sara Blanc and taking full advantage of the schools cavernous performance space.

As you would expect with two choreographers there is a mix and match of creative ideas going on in here. You have theatrical set pieces, straight up dance making and more besides all tied together with a mix of pre-recorded and live music the latter of which was provided by local band Whiteheath.

SSCD excels at giving its students the chance to get their teeth into a lot of choreography and prove their performing prowess to a live audience. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't (as with most evening length works) but the dancers hold their own and show a tremendous amount of skill throughout.

Also, how many times do you see a dance school performing with excellent live music? Or live music at all for that matter?

Obviously there will be no touring (SSCD does have a graduate touring company called The Space Cadets though!) but keep your eyes on the schools website for future shows.

Dancers. Lyndsey Allan, Urszula Bernat, Morna Bettesworth, Jennifer Bloe, KIM brymer, Juta Campbell, Emma Christie, Sian Davies, Aileen Dick, Chloe Eves, Jennifer Framer, Sarah Geraghty, Cheryl Gill, Agathe Girard, Jemma Hill, Catriona Horne, Rachel Howie, Aaron Jeffrey, John Kendall, Heather Kirkwood, Mathew Lackford, Claire Lornie, Abigail Lawman, Sarah Macdonald, Melissa Macgillavray, Jenna Mcgurk, Zoe Mclinden, Victoria Miles, Keiran Robb, Gillian Robertson, Samantha Ronaldson, Elizabeth \ryder, Hannah Seignor, Leigh Thomson and Jodie Walsh

[ SSCD Website ]

Filmed by Neil Nisbet

Part two of our feature from Dance Theatre Ireland's new touring repertory is 'Under the Roof' created by South Korean dance maker In-young Sohn as part of the collaboration between DTI and Now Dance.

This works shares a very similar dynamic to the first piece of the evening 'Parallel Horizons' and includes dancers from both companies interacting as if they had been working together their entire working lives!

Classy performances all round. The work really does need to be seen live to appreciate the expansive nature of the thing. Music is, as with the other piece, performed live by a small ensemble of musicians.

DTI say of 'Under the Roof';

"Under the Roof represents home, a place where we rest, wrap our solitude, or can be soothed and revitalized. In the course of one day the work unfolds exposing the nature of our collective and individual spirits.

Under the Roof is where we learn to share (or not) and where it's possible to be supported. From under the roof we go out into the world, and from under the roof we learn it is possible to achieve the impossible, we receive our sustenance. What other things happen under that roof?"

'Under the Roof' is performed by Lise Manavit, Jazmin Chiodi, Alexandre Iseli, Byung Hwa Kim, Jon Morley, Min Young Park, Ju Jin Shin and Seung Kwan Yoo. Music is by RII Woo Lee performed by Nick Bailey, II Woo Lee, Bo-mi Kim and Rory Pierce.

DTI are currently touring the Republic of Ireland for the next month. Check their website for updates on 2009 performances.

NB: The programme credits this work to Dance Now. We have listed the piece under Dance Theatre Ireland for reader convenience.

[ DTI Company Website ]
[ 'Parallel Horizons' on Article19 ]