In many way the work, choreographed and directed by AD Ben Wright, defies description because "JAWA" (as we like to call it because nothing makes us smile more than a weird Star Wars reference) is three short works presented as a single piece with each of the sections broken down into 'one of us', 'two of us' and 'all of us'.
To get it you really have to see it live!
bgroup say this much;
Well, actually they don't say much at all because as far as we could find this work has no press blurb to go with it. Long may that trend continue
In our interview with Ben Wright and company dancer Lise Manavit we discuss the piece in depth and Mr Wright tells us about the difficulties of touring the small-sclae circuit when one of your dancers suffers a catastrophic injury on stage.
At the moment 'Just As We Are' is sleeping so no current touring but keep an eye on the website for future performance dates from the company.
The work is performed by Allison Ahl, Lise Manavit, Robert Clarke, Michael Barnes and Andrew Gardiner with choreography and direction by Ben Wright.
Filmed at The Riley Theatre in Leeds on April 26th and 27th 2013.
[ Company Website ]
[ 'Lessening of Difference' on Article19 ]
For this year the company have eschewed the narrative form of the previous season for two pieces that are, for want of a better description, more traditional. It's choreography, music and dancing where you can bring your own views about the subtext.
Also new for this season is the expansion of the company to four dancers (now comprising two men and two women) to keep things interesting in the repertory mix.
The company say this much;
The new programme Pictures we Make is a double bill. Part one is a new commission from Christopher Goddard and Gemma Nixon (yes, she's in it too) who last September made their Place Prize choreographic debut after their recent departure from Rambert. Continuing the theme of human relations, their piece Eden will be a poetic exploration of an internal world where space is compressed and obsessions are revealed. The piece features an original score by composer John Matthias.
Part two, created by Missen and Turner, asks questions of our most significant relationships; how, as we plunge from I to We, we navigate the space between our experience and our expectation. Pictures we Make will reflect stories, fictitious and real, drawn from the long shared histories of the performers, and has a new score by Spanish musician/composer and long-time collaborator, Miguel Marin.
Along side our normal features we bring you an interview with the company directors where they discuss the new work and being the only full time dance company working out of Manchester.
'Pictures We Make' is performed by Gemma Nixon, Anthony Missen, Kevin Edward Turner and Elena Thomas.
The work is currently in hibernation until the autumn where it will re-emerge at The Linbury Studio at The Royal Opera House in London on November 15th. Check the company website for more details.
]]>We, here in TheLab™, spent a day in the company of the students of Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds. One of the few centres in the UK dedicated to training professional contemporary dancers.
The school recently had a change of leadership with Janet Smith, former AD of Scottish Dance Theatre, taking charge.
When we visited the students were in the midst of a five week rehearsal period that consists of a morning class followed by a full day of rehearsals with a visiting choreographer. The works they created were recently performed at the student showcase in the Riley Theatre, the schools in-house performance venue.
From speaking to the students what we came away with was a large amount of optimism for the future. Despite the current malaise in the arts world and beyond about cuts to funding and the lack of jobs they were undaunted.
More cynical types might suggest that such resolve will soon be knocked out of them, especially after graduation but we think not. As we have said before, dance students set an example that many should follow.
They choose to follow the path least travelled and they take their chances in a profession that is as unforgiving as it is challenging both physically and mentally.
Filmed at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance on March 1st 2013.
]]>This time out the company, helmed by Bawren Tavaziva, have created a piece of pure choreography for the ensemble of eight highly skilled dancers.
The company tell us this much about the work;
"Greed deals with the complexities of money, power and religion and the subtle and not so subtle differences between African and Western cultures. Accompanied by a stimulating and infectious soundtrack this challenging, fast-paced production hits you in the gut and fills you right up."
No word yet on future tour dates but there is an appearance in Canada on the cards in June where the company will perform their previous work 'Sensual Africa'. Check the website for updates on new touring for 'Greed'.
'Greed' is performed by Katie Cambridge, Lisa Rowley, Petros Treklis, Anna Watkins, Ellen Yilma, Leire Merino Garin, Claire Lambert, Gabriela Montgomery-Solano with music and choreography by Bawren Tavaziva.
Filmed at The Dance Lab, Dance City, Newcastle upon Tyne on March 7th 2013.
]]>The triple bill offers up three very different pieces with 'Virtual Descent' by Ms Drennan taking a look at the modern world and all its problems, 'Noces' from Mr Preljocaj (a re-staging from the 1989) investigating the world of marriage, men and women and all the joy that goes along with that.
Finally we have 'Dream' from Christopher Bruce originally created for the company's touring efforts with Scottish Ballet and English National Ballet as part of Dance GB.
The company says this much;
Noces by French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj is an astonishing spectacle of dynamic movement and evocative costumes performed to Igor Stravinsky's exquisite score, Les Noces. Exploring the fantasy and ritual of weddings with props helping to set the scene, 5 women and 5 men explore an imaginative world with a breathtaking performance of sheer precision.
Virtual Descent is a physical triumph made to a beautiful percussion concerto by composer Mark Bowden recorded by BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Set in an imaginary future Drennan seeks out the essence of human power and bravery that lies within the body. With a striking set and imaginative lighting a dramatic and poignant narrative is created.
For our features we bring you an interview with Eleesha Drennan who will soon take flight from NDCW to forge her own career as a freelance dance maker. She talks about her work and her thoughts on the dance world from the perspective of a female dance maker.
In addition we have an interview with company AD Anne Sholem and apprentice dance Chris Scott where both talk about the importance of dance companies running apprentice schemes.
NDCW dancers are Annabeth Berkeley, Eleesha Drennan, Lee Johnston, Josef Perou, Neus Gil Cortés, Gareth Mole, Mathieu Geffré, Matteo Marfoglia, Camille Giraudeau, Christopher Scott and Natalie Corne.
The triple bill continues touring throughout the year. Check the company's website for additional details. Filmed at the Stanley and Audrey Burton Theatre, Leeds, March 10th 2013.
]]>This time out the company have upped the stakes with 'Rapunzel', the classic kids fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, a show for ages 7 all the way to the reluctant adults who have to bring them to the theatre. Reluctant insofar as they really want to come but have to be all "adult" about it and pretend they would rather be gardening or whatever.
For this take on the story some things are a little bit different. The main thing being Rapunzel's hair is red, not blonde, for this story and there is more focus on her parents and how they deal with their little one being half inched by an evil witch!
Ballet Lorent say this much;
"Full of dark beauty balletLORENT's new version of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale Rapunzel combines desire, devastation, romance and rescue with spellbinding effect for adults and children alike. Rapunzel is for a family audience with a recommended age of seven years and above."
Well, they don't say that much apparently. Anyway, we have footage from the show, of course, as well as interviews with company dancer Debbi Purtill and composer Murray Gold who apparently makes music for some sic-fi TV show we've never heard of! (ok, it's Doctor Who).
'Rapunzel' is performed by Gwen Berwick Gavin Coward, John Kendall, Debbi Purtill, Mariusz Raczynski, Caroline Reece, Adam Russell and Philippa White.
The show continues touring throughout this year, check the company's website for details. Filmed at Northern Stage in newcastle upon tyne on March 22nd 2012.
]]>For the 2013 season the company has amassed a great mix of dancers and some eclectic choreography folk for a mixed bill that really is "mixed". From the subtle wackiness of Ben Wright's 'Shuffle' to the hard core choreography of Frauke Requardt 'Night time' and James Wilton with 'Resurgence'. Finally, there is a sublime piece of weirdness in the form of 'Instructions to the Anima;' from Angus Balbirnie.
Verve say this much;
"The company works with leading international choreographers to create a mixed-bill of works which are toured throughout the UK and Europe. Historically, performances from NSCD have had great acclaim from audiences and critics. The School has played host to many exceptional choreographers whilst simultaneously giving audiences the opportunity to witness the next generation of innovative dance artists."
Post grad companies are not about the dance makers though they are about the dancers. Our features bring you a hefty dose of their performance work alongside an interview with two of the company's dancers; Ashleigh Musk and Christian Brinklow.
Verve 2013 dancers are Charlotte Baker, Christian Brinklow, Danilo Caruso, Margherita Elliot, Roger Fernández Cifuentes, Baptiste Hilbert, Ashleigh Musk, Pernille Sørensen, Alex Standard, Natasha Wade, Dawn Webster and Crystal Zillwood.
The company are touring across the UK until late June so check their website for details. Performance filmed at The Riley Theatre in Leeds on March 1st 2013.
]]>The company's latest work is called 'The Intention' and at the moment it is a work in progress. Inspired by the book 'The Invention of Morel' by Adolfo Bioy Casares the work is a mix of choreography, projections and, when running at full speed, live music.
Neon say this much about the work;
"Inspired by 'The Invention of Morel', a novel by Adolfo Bioy Casares, 'The Intention' explores a world of disjointed presences; where the playback of a recording of events takes on a greater reality than the continued existence of its subjects."
As the work is not yet complete there is no touring at the moment but the company will be travelling to Germany this year to continue work on the piece.
'The Intention" is performed by Jennifer Essex and David Lloyd with choreography by Adrienne Hart, music by Nils Frahm & Anne Müller and video graphics by Frieder Weiss.
Filmed at the Dance Lab, Dance City, Newcastle upon Tyne on February 1st.
]]>With 'There is Hope" Rosie Kay, dance maker, has taken the subject by the throat and given it a good shake with a new work that runs the gamut of religious imagery from the archetypal "preacher man" to the overzealous "true believers" that have a tendency to become, well, overzealous.
Throw in some very loud and very live music and a little burning incense and you have, for most people, just another night out.
The company say this much;
"There is Hope is a timely, pertinent and exciting work that speaks of today. With the riots of 2011 still fresh in everyone's minds, what kind of world are we living in right now and, arguably, is there hope?"
Our feature brings you an interview with the titular dance maker alongside extensive material from the work itself.
'There is Hope' is performed by Corey Baker, Lisa Hood, Jake Nwogu, Ria Uttridge, Chris Vann and continues touring in March and throughout the year, check the company's website for further details.
Filmed at Dance City in Newcastle upon Tyne on November 22, 2012.
]]>The Norwegian folk take us back a time when dance works could actually be about something that was neither mean nor depressing. 'I With Her Well' draws from the diaries of the company AD Anna Ekene's mother, studiously written over several years in the early 1940's.
This work reminds us of Rambert back in the day, before the dark times took hold.
Panta Rei say this much;
"Four women, many stories and a huge mirror. It is the simple stories that are told, the everyday things, that are so important but nonetheless invisible when the official history is to be written. The stories are the personal narratives of women from the families of or with close ties to the performers in the production. These intimate and contemporary, universal stories are told by women from different generations through both the soundscape and the dancers on stage."
Along with the work itself we bring you interviews with the company and additional footage from the show.
'I wish Her Well' is performed by Julie Drønen Ekornes , Silje Bævre Lian, Henriette Hamli, Kari Skotnes Vikjord with choreography by Anne Ekenes and Pia Holden.
Touring throughout next year so check the company website for additional details.
Filmed at Dansens Hus, Oslo, Norway on October 20th, 2012 in collaboration with Coda Oslo International Dance Festival.
[ Company Website ]
[ 'Private Rite' and 'We Fiction' on Article19 ]
The work, created by Mr Greco and Pieter C. Scholten (the PC from the company title), brings the thematic construction of the circus ring to explain, sort of, the Dante cycle of the company's recent works.
The company say this much;
"In this new creation, the worldwide known choreographers Emio Greco and Pieter C. Scholten show their comical side. La Commedia presents the highlights of their award-winning Dante-cycle and stirs it up with a circus ring in which the dancers account for the seven days of the week, which also represent the seven mortal sins. This glorious contemporary dance performance has a broad audience appeal, suitable for children and young people as well as adults."
Our video features include the work itself and an interview with one half of the creative duo, Emio Greco.
'La Commedia' is performed by Ty Boomershine, Victor Callens, Dereck Cayla, Vincent Colomes, Sawami Fukuoka, Emio Greco, Neda Hadji-Mirzaei, Suzan Tunca, Jesus de Vega Gomez with choreography by Emio Greco and Pieter C. Scholten.
Check the company's website for further touring details.
Filmed at Dansens Hus, Oslo, Norway on October 19, 2012. Video produced in association with the Coda Oslo International Dance Festival.
]]>The festival runs every two years but on occasion, in the off year, they run a mini-festival and for 2012 that festival was focused on Coda Ung (Coda Young) or basically the young folk.
This time out the festival got two dance companies together, Panta Rei Danseteater from Norway and 2Faced Dance Company from the UK to collaborate on an education project with five groups of kids.
Instead of working separately however the two companies mixed together, having never worked with one another before, to teach the kids in mixed groups to perform alongside 2Faced during their sows of 'In The Dust'.
As well as the traditional theater stuff the kids were also involved in a live flashmob on the Oslo T-Bane (underground) while the trains were moving and passengers were getting on and off. To add to the organised chaos, live music was provided by Norwegian music bod Samsaya much to the bemusement and enjoyment of the evening commuters.
In an even more crazy experiment a separate group also conducted a flash mob, again with live music, on the city's tram network. If you've ever wondered what it would be like playing rugby in a cupboard then wonder no more. 25 dancers on a small, moving tram certainly makes for an interesting experience.
This film was created in association with Coda Oslo International Dance Festival.
]]>An all out choreographic assault of none stop movement this piece is not. What we have is a pure piece of dance theatre with a mix of dance, acting, singing and live music mixed with some, at times, disturbing visual imagery.
The company say this much;
"Inching its way through airbrushed beauty, boob jobs and Botox, victim-blaming, slut-shaming, the might of motherhood and the challenge of childlessness, Motherland is a funny and moving show about having it all.
In Motherland, Vincent Dance Theatre's brilliant, multi-talented ensemble of men, women and children take a look at the gender they were born into and the price they are paying for it.
Spurred on by Simone de Beauvoir, Caitlin Moran and the Spice Girls, Vincent goes into battle with the big boys, arguing against a narrow, over-sexualized definition of femininity to ask what it is that we really, really want."
Our feature brings you, of course, footage from the show as well as interviews with cast members Leah Yeger and Robert Clark and the shows creator, Charlotte Vincent.
'Motherland' is performed by Leah Yeger, Robert Clark, Janusz Orlik, Scott Smith, Benita Oakley, Aurora Lubos, Patrycja Kujowska, Grieg Cooke, Alexadru Catona and Andrea Catania with music by pretty much most of the cast.
The show continues touring throughout the Autumn and will return to the road next year at some point, check the tour website for details.
Filmed on October 5th, 2012 at the Corn Exchange in Newbury.
]]>They have 'Signal' from Henri Oguike, 'Catch' by former company member Ana Luján Sánchez, the tongue twisting 'Maybe Yes, Maybe No Maybe' by Aletta Collins and 'SoundClash' by another former company dancer Kwesi Johnson.
Overall the programme adds up to a varied evening of work that even the most hardened dance cynic would be able to draw some inspiration from. You've got hard core dance and a a lot of charm throughout the night, so no complaining!
The company say this much about 'Maybe Yes, Maybe No Maybe';
"With a live microphone at its heart, Maybe Yes Maybe, Maybe No Maybe sees five dancers blend movement and voices to create a uniquely witty piece of dance. Teasing and playful but full of attitude, the work is set to a score by composers Street Furniture that transforms the dancers' voices into the beats and accents of a pulsing soundtrack. Having choreographed Gang of Five, one of the flagship pieces that helped establish Phoenix Dance Theatre on the national dance map, this exciting work by Aletta Collins is the perfect way to round off the Declarations programme."
We bring you two profile interview with company dancers Phil Sanger and Glenn Graham as well as feature from 'Maybe Yes, Maybe No Maybe' and 'Catch'. There will also be some exclusive content from 'SoundClash' and an interview with company AD Sharon Watson in the podcast channel and our Vimeo channel real soon.
The works are performed by Azzurra Ardovini, Josh Wille, Glenn Graham, Chihiro Kawasaki, Phil Sanger, Ryu Suzuki, Genevieve Watson and Vanessa Pang.
'Crossing Points' is no sleeping for the summer but will return in the autumn so check the company's website for more details.
Performance filmed at Northern Stage in Newcastle upon Tyne on May 31st 2012.
]]>On display is, for sure, a varied repertoire of works from three very different dance makers. At the core of the whole show though are 10 very strong dancers (along with two apprentices who were not on stage for this particular show). With companies like NDCW it's all about the dancers.
The company say this much about 'The Grammar of Silence' by Itzik Galili;
"Fear of darkness is akin to the fear of silence which fills our imagination. Stark, dramatic light cuts into dark space like silent gaps defining narratives, mood and time. Five dance scenes suggest drama and tension of unspoken things, with the music adding its own poetry to the strident images. The Grammar Of Silence follows Romance Inverse and Peeled as Galili's third production for NDCWales."
As part of our feature set we bring you 'The Grammar of Silence' by Itzik Galili, 'Black Milk' by Ohad Naharin and profile interview with company dancers Eleesha Drennan and Gareth Mole including footage from Eleesha Drennan's 'Phantoms of Us'.
Later this week you can get a snippet of 'B/olero' by Ohad Naharin and an interview with company AD Anne Sholem on our podcast channel.
The work is performed by Eleesha Drennan, Annabeth Berkeley, Karol Cysewski, Camille Giraudeau, Naomi Tadevossian, Neus Gil Cortés, Lee Johnson, Gareth Mole, Ygal Tsur, Eran Gisin, Neus Gil Cortes, Josef Perou and Nicholas Bodych.
As mentioned the company are at the end of their tour for the moment but they will return in the Autumn with new works and you can catch them as part of Dance GB, check their website for details.
Filmed on May 17th 2012 at the Dance Lab in Newcastle upon Tyne.
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