It’s a great pleasure to write my first introduction to a DanceEast season guide, and what a season it will be!
For decades DanceEast has invested in artists' futures, supporting them to bring ideas to life, to hone their practice, skills and craft. This investment has contributed to the making of some of the UK's leading voices in dance, and we welcome several of them back this season; Alexander Whitley, who leads the way at the intersection of dance and technology, award-winning disabled choreographer Cathy Waller, and Yukiko Masui.
Our season opener is the premiere of TELLUS, a DanceEast Jerwood Foundation Commission from Olivier Award winner Dickson Mbi who we’ve long supported. Multiple generations will grace our stage this springback in town is our youth dance platform U.Dance East, National Youth Dance Company, Joseph Toonga's Just Us Apprenticeship Company, and HOST, our over 50’s showcase co-produced with EncoreEast.
There’s also a packed programme of classes and workshops for people of all ages and abilities to help reawaken, stretch and grow into spring - I look forward to meeting you along the way!
Anthony Missen Chief Executive & Creative Director
Cover photo: Daniel Phung
WHAT’S ON THEATRE
FEBRUARY
DICKSON MBI
TELLUS Fri 6, 7.30pm Page 4
MARCH
ALEXANDER WHITLEY
DANCE COMPANY
Rite of Spring and Mirror Fri 6, 7.30pm & Sat 7, 7.30pm Page 6
U.Dance East Sat 14, 7.00pm Page 7
YUKIKO MASUI RONiN Fri 20, 7.30pm Page 8
ANATOMICAL
The Buildy-uppy Dance Show Fri 27, 10.30am & 1.30pm Sat 28, 11.00am & 3.00pm Page 9
APRIL
NYDC X Alleyne Dance Sat 11, 7.30pm Page 10
CATHY WALLER COMPANY
This Is Us Fri 17, 7.30pm Page 11
THE JUST US APPRENTICESHIP COMPANY A Night of Hip Hop Theatre Wed 22, 6.00pm Page 12
MAY
ENCOREEAST AND DANCEEAST HOST Tues 5, 10.30am–6.30pm (all day event) 5.00pm–6.30pm (Evening showcase) Page 13
We are now offering a Support DanceEast ticket of £25 alongside our standard tickets. This ticket is more reflective of the cost it takes us to put on a performance or an event. If you would like to find out more please go to our website danceeast.co.uk or call our Box Office on 01473 295230.
TICKETS FROM £18, CONCESSIONS FROM £14, SUPPORT DANCEEAST TICKET £25
Olivier Award-winning choreographer and composer
Dickson Mbi wants to tell his son a bedtime story. But this is not just any story: it's an epic drawing from Mbi’s Cameroonian heritage and inspired by the mythical deity Mami Wata. In this UK premiere, dancers fuse physicality and grace, whilst Mbi’s immersive score takes you from gentle lullaby to stirring chants. TELLUS is more than a performance — it's a ritual to reconnect with the quiet, powerful source of everything: our Earth, our past, our mother.
Photo: Luc Lodder
'Mbi... leaves you feeling that you could be watching the work of another Pina Bausch, Akram Khan
or Matthew Bourne.' The List on Twice Born for Scottish Ballet
DON'T MISS Dickson Mbi's Watch Dance Class on Thursday 5 February for ages 14+.
See more on page 20.
Content guidance is available on our website or by contacting our Box Office.
Co-commissioned by Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Schrit_tmacher Festival and DanceEast, as a DanceEast Jerwood Foundation Commission. TELLUS is a ‘Developed with Complicité’ project –a strand of their Mudlarks Ideas Development programme.
'Whitley has... a [plethora] of ideas, the skill to make them theatrical, and he floods the stage with feelings and vivid, stimulating dance.'
Financial Times
TICKETS FROM £18, CONCESSIONS FROM £14, SUPPORT DANCEEAST TICKET £25
Content guidance is available on our website or by contacting our Box Office.
This groundbreaking double bill unites dance, live motion capture and AI, exploring the tension between human autonomy and forces that shape our fate. Rite of Spring radically reimagines Stravinsky's classic through a contemporary lens, while Mirror, reveals our evolving relationship with intelligent machines. Encounter a journey through observation, transformation, and the enduring human need to be seen.
Co-commissioned by Sadler’s Wells. Mirror is co-produced by Hessisches Staatsballett and the Rite of Spring is co-produced by MA scène nationale – Pays de Montbéliard. Supported by Arts Council England, DanceEast, Cockayne Grants for the Arts, Foyle Foundation, Leche Trust, Reed Educational Trust Limited, Big Give Christmas Challenge donors with core support from the John Ellerman Foundation, Coln Trust and Edwin Fox Foundation.
Photo: Thomas Alexander
U.Dance East
TALENT • JOY • CREATIVITY
SATURDAY 14 MARCH | 7.00PM
TICKETS FROM £10, CONCESSIONS FROM £8, SUPPORT DANCEEAST TICKET £25
SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES
U.Dance East returns for an unmissable evening, celebrating the talent, diversity and creativity of young dancers across the Eastern region.
Performances in a range of styles, including hip hop dance, contemporary and South Asian dance mean there will be something for everyone! All participating groups have the chance of being selected to represent the East at One Dance UK’s National U.Dance Festival.
Presented in partnership with One Dance UK.
Photo: Roswitha Chesher
Photo: Daniel Phung
'Masui’s piece filled every available surface with breath-taking projections which covered the theatre’s huge back wall and the stage floor as well, engulfing the audience and all its senses.'
Art Talk Magazine, Netherlandson RONiN
YUKIKO MASUI RONiN
REVOLUTIONARY PRECISE • STRIKING FRIDAY 20 MARCH | 7.30PM TICKETS FROM £18, CONCESSIONS FROM £14, SUPPORT DANCEEAST TICKET £25 Dance, swordplay, and cutting-edge digital projections come together, in this UK premiere, to tell the story of a fearless woman swordfighter navigating honour, resilience and survival in a male-dominated world. Through a captivating blend of movement and technology, RONiN takes audiences through Japan’s four seasons, from spring's cherry blossoms to winter's silent snowfall, creating an anime-inspired realm that merges ancient traditions with modern visual storytelling. Content guidance is available on our website or by contacting our Box Office.
Co-commissioned and produced by The Place. Co-commissioned by DanceEast, Dance City and The Gillian Dickinson Trust.
Supported with public funding from Arts Council England, Cockayne - Grants for the Arts, The London Community Foundation, The Sasakawa Foundation and Kakilang.
ANATOMICAL
The Buildy-uppy Dance Show
INTERACTIVE • ENGAGING • EXCITING
SATURDAY 28 MARCH 11.00AM AND 3.00PM
ADULT TICKET £15, CHILD TICKET £10 (UNDER 16)
SUITABLE FOR AGES 4+
'Anatomical’s [performance] proved an absolute delight, funny, engaging and weighing in at a fidget proof 60 minutes.'
**** Financial Times
Step into a world of cardboard creativity with The Buildy-uppy Dance Show - a joyful explosion of movement, giggles and imagination! From wobbly towers to tumbling walls, this hands-on adventure invites the whole family to dance, dream and construct together. With boxes, tape and wild ideas, you’ll help create cities, castles, robots - even space stations! Children’s imaginations take the lead in this playful performance where anything is possible and everything is fun.
Photo: Chris Nash
England and by Trinity Laban.
National Youth Dance Company X Alleyne Dance
11 APRIL | 7.30PM
For 2026, multi-award-winning Alleyne Dance joins forces with National Youth Dance Company (NYDC) as Guest Artistic Directors. For over a decade, NYDC and Sadler’s Wells have united England’s brightest young dancers with leading artists and companies to create and tour bold new work. This year, expect an electrifying world premiere led by Alleyne Dance founders, Sadé and Kristina Alleyne – renowned for their athletic, fast-paced, rhythmically charged style. Don’t miss it!
Photo: Camilla Greenwell
CATHY WALLER COMPANY
This Is Us
EMOTIVE • PHYSICAL • TRANSFORMATIVE FRIDAY 17 APRIL | 7.30PM TICKETS FROM £18, CONCESSIONS FROM £14, SUPPORT DANCEEAST TICKET £25
Do we hide ourselves to fit in? What is it to be truly seen? This Is Us is a powerful double bill of live contemporary dance and film, accompanied by a striking photographic exhibition. The performance takes audiences on a journey into identity –an electrifying fusion of movement, film, and image that asks: who are we when we stop hiding? Through expressive choreography, hidden stories of vulnerability, strength, and the quiet courage to be authentic emerge. With a soul-stirring score by MOBO award-winner Lewis Wright, Cathy Waller Company’s acclaimed short dance film, and photography by The1Harris, This is Us is a celebration of truth, visibility, and unapologetic self-expression.
Content guidance is available on our website or by contacting our Box Office. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and made possible with support from partners: Arts University Bournemouth, Disability Arts Online, Pavilion Dance South West, National Trust, Rich Mix, Stanley Arts, Streatham Space, South East Dance and The Place.
Camilla Greenwell
'I felt so many things...I felt empowered, I cried, I was amazed. I love Cathy’s choreography so much, it makes you want to dance!'
This is Us audience
member
Photo:
JUST US DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS THE JUST US APPRENTICESHIP COMPANY
A Night of Hip Hop Theatre
GROUNDBREAKING • DYNAMIC • NEXT-GEN
WEDNESDAY 22 APRIL | 6.00PM
TICKETS FROM £18, CONCESSIONS FROM £14, SUPPORT DANCEEAST TICKET £25
SUITABLE FOR AGES 10 UPWARDS
Experience the groundbreaking debut performance of the 2025 cohort of the UK’s first and only paid Hip Hop Dance Apprenticeship Programme, presented by the Just Us Apprenticeship Company, led by Artistic Director Joseph Toonga. This electrifying evening features newly commissioned work by Dutch choreographer Chandenie Gobardhan, alongside a powerful new collaboration between Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy MBE and Joseph Toonga.
Content guidance is available on our website or by contacting our Box Office.
Just Us Dance Theatre is supported by Arts Council England and Ambassadeurs Group.
The Just Us Hip Hop Apprenticeship Company Programme is supported by The Garrick Charitable Trust and The Fenton Arts Trust.
Witness the raw talent and unstoppable energy of the next generation of hip hop artists—live on stage!
Photo: Elliot Banks
ENCOREEAST AND DANCEEAST HOST
CELEBRATE • CHALLENGE • CONNECT
TUESDAY 5 MAY | 10.30AM - 6.30PM (ALL DAY EVENT)
5.00PM–6.30PM (EVENING SHOWCASE)*
TICKETS* £30 (DAY TICKET) OR £12 (EVENING SHOWCASE ONLY)
CONCESSIONS FROM £10 (EVENING SHOWCASE ONLY)
SUITABLE FOR OVER 50S AND PRACTITIONERS WHO WORK WITH THE OVER 50S
HOST is back; bigger, bolder, and bursting with movement! Now in its fifth year, this vibrant biennial celebrating dance and age, co-produced with EncoreEast, lights up DanceEast with a dynamic dance and creative exchange. Join us for a full day of workshops, talks, and performances that challenge, connect, and celebrate the artistry of older dancers from East Anglia and beyond.
From bold storytelling to playful experimentation, HOST is your chance to move, make, and be inspired.
*Tickets for this showcase are included in the cost of a HOST day ticket, but can be purchased separately for anyone who wishes to attend the showcase only.
Photo: Roswitha Chesher
Join the movement. Donate
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
› Support our Impact Fund to give dance class places to children who would otherwise be unable to attend
› Become part of DanceEast’s regular giving community by becoming a Member
› Donate £1,500 or more as an Impact Patron to drive lasting change through dance
› Sponsor DanceEast to align your business with our impactful community and youth work development@danceeast.co.uk
Photo: DanceEast
YOUR DONATIONS MATTER
Gives a young person in Ipswich the chance to attend a whole term of dance classes that they would otherwise be unable to attend
Provides refreshments and a chance to socialise for participants at our dementia and Parkinson’s dance groups
Offers 40 children living in deprived households the opportunity to attend a performance at DanceEast
£20 £75 £500
These examples are indicative and all donations are unrestricted unless agreed otherwise. Please speak to our Development Team if you have any questions by calling 01473 295230.
'[He] couldn’t move his legs yesterday but today at the session he was moving and dancing, the session makes such a huge difference!'
Carer of participant, Care to Dance, Dementia Programme
Photo: Alexander Ward
Photo: Eleanor Sharp
VISITING DANCEEAST AT THE JERWOOD DANCEHOUSE
Located on Ipswich Waterfront, the Jerwood DanceHouse is easy to reach by public transport or car. We encourage sustainable travel where possible.
For more information, including café hours or access support, please contact our Box Office on 01473 295230, email info@danceeast.co.uk or visit the DanceEast website, danceeast.co.uk
BY TRAIN
Ipswich Station is a 10-minute walk and provides great links to the rest of the county, with London just over an hour away.
BUS STATIONS
Cattle Market and Tower Ramparts are within 15 minutes walk.
BY CAR
Easily accessible via the A12 and A14. Nearest car parks: St Peter’s Dock, Cardinal Park, and Duke Street. Limited Blue Badge parking is available, please call 01473 295230.
A14 (W) – Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds
(S) – London,
A12 (N)
HOW TO BOOK
danceeast.co.uk/ticket-information/
BURSARIES
Free places for eligible children and young people in Ipswich. Limited availability, please visit our website for criteria.
ACCESS
Please contact us in advance for access needs or to book a wheelchair space. Visual Story and Virtual Tour are available online.
CONCESSIONS
Available for over 60s, students and those receiving qualifying benefits. Tickets from £10 –full details online.
BOX OFFICE HOURS
Prices vary, individual prices per event/class. Book early for the best deal. Details available on individual event pages.
GROUP BOOKINGS
For groups (10+), call Box Office on 01473 295230. Payment due within 30 days.
SCHOOLS
£8 per student, with one free teacher ticket per ten pupils. Payment due within 30 days of booking.
CLASSES
Pay upfront or in two instalments. Tasters available. Please call Box Office on 01473 295230 to book.
Monday-Thursday 9.00am–8.00pm
Friday-Saturday 9.00am–6.00pm
Sunday 10.00am–5.00pm
Hours may vary during events, please call ahead to check.
Please note: Discounts are subject to availability. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Terms and charges may change.
All discounts are subject to availability, only one discount applies and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or concession. Concessions for classes and performances are classified as over 60, students, and anyone on income support or in receipt of benefits (excluding standard child benefits). Once purchased, performances, classes and workshop tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded. The information in this booklet was correct at the time of going to print. DanceEast reserves the right to amend prices, discounts, and benefits at any time. Fees and transaction charges are subject to change.
DANCE FOR PARKINSON’S SUPPORTIVE . JOYFUL . THERAPEUTIC
HATHA YOGA BALANCED . RESTORATIVE . MINDFUL
HIP HOP DANCE RHYTHMIC . BOLD . EMPOWERING
ASHTANGA YOGA ENGAGING . MEDITATIVE . FLOWING
*Pay As You Go option available. **This class is for people with additional needs
Not sure which class is right for you?
You can book a taster session before you commit to a full term. If you are booking later in the term you'll only pay for the remaining classes.
Term Dates Spring Monday 12 January–Saturday 28 March 2026
Summer Monday 20 April–Saturday 4 July 2026
There will be no classes during both Half Terms w/c Monday 16 February, w/c Monday 25 May and Easter w/c 30 March and w/c 6 April.
Open This class is perfect for everyone, especially beginners. It’s ideal for those new to the dance style, as well as those with some experience looking for a more relaxed pace or returning after a long break.
Advanced These classes are designed for those with at least two years of experience in the dance style, who have actively participated in classes within the last few years. This level is perfect for individuals looking to refine and further develop their skills.
DICKSON MBI WATCH DANCE CLASS
THURSDAY 5 FEBRUARY
12.30PM–2.00PM
TICKETS FREE*
Step inside the studio and witness the creative force behind Dickson Mbi’s TELLUS. Watch Dickson and his company shape movement with precision, passion, and power. A rare chance to see choreography evolve from studio to stage –perfect for dance lovers, artists, bloggers, and anyone curious about the art of performance. *Tickets to this watch dance class are free and must be booked in advance and in conjunction with a performance ticket for TELLUS.
DON’T MISS TELLUS by Dickson Mbi. Friday 6 February, 7.30pm. See pages 4–5.
ALEXANDER WHITLEY DANCE COMPANY OVER 50S WORKSHOP
SATURDAY 7 MARCH
12.00PM–2.00PM
TICKETS £15
SUITABLE FOR AGES 50+
Join a dancer from Alexander Whitley Dance Company for a creative movement workshop inspired by the company’s new double bill Rite of Spring/Mirror. Designed for participants aged 50 and over, the session offers an open space to move, create, and connect with the ideas from the hearts of the productions.
DON’T MISS Rite of Spring and Mirror by Alexander Whitley Dance Company. Friday 6 and Saturday 7 March, 7.30pm. See page 6.
Photo: Luc Lodder
Photo: Thomas Alexander
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE our Kids Love To Boogie event on page 25.
DANCE IN A DAY
FRIDAY 20 FEBRUARY | 9.00AM–3.00PM (HALF TERM) TICKETS £30 | BURSARY SPACES AVAILABLE SUITABLE FOR AGES 4-11 (4-7, 8-11)
Whether you’re new to dance or full of experience, come and spend a fun-filled day creating and performing your own dance piece for your friends and family! With guidance from our friendly professional dancers, you’ll discover how your dance can come to life, while building confidence, creativity and teamwork – all in a lively, supportive environment.
Photo: RoswithaChesher
DANCEEAST OPEN HOUSE
SUNDAY 8 MARCH | 10.00AM–3.00PM | FREE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES
We're throwing the Jerwood DanceHouse doors open to invite everyone to our Open House. No matter your age or experience, come and see what we're about. Coinciding with Angela Rippon's Let's Dance! campaign, this is a day to try our classes, find joy in free workshops and performances and experience the DanceEast CAT in action. Bring your friends and family for a day of movement and fun. We can't wait to welcome you!
For more information on the DanceEast Open House, visit our website danceeast.co.uk
Photo: We Are Pine
YUKIKO MASUI WORKSHOP
SATURDAY 21 MARCH
12.00PM–2.00PM
TICKETS £15
SUITABLE FOR AGES 18+
Award-winning choreographer Yukiko Masui invites you to dive into her new show, RONiN. This high-energy workshop combining hip hop dance, contemporary dance and martial arts allows you to experience a fusion of rhythms, fluid movement, and dynamic technique, whilst exploring Masui’s unique style and creative vision.
EVENING PERFORMANCE
DON'T MISS the performance of RONiN by Yukiko Masui on Friday 20 March at 7.30pm. See page 8.
NATIONAL YOUTH DANCE COMPANY
EXPERIENCE WORKSHOP
FRIDAY 10 APRIL | 4.00PM–6.00PM
TICKETS FREE*
SUITABLE FOR AGES 16–18 (or up to 24 if d/Deaf or Disabled)
NYDC is looking for the next generation of talented dancers! Get a taste of what it’s like to be part of England’s leading youth dance company at this exciting free workshop. Learn material from their current production, train with choreographers and meet some of the team. NYDC celebrates diversity and our workshops welcome disabled and nondisabled dancers from all backgrounds, dance styles, and levels of experience. *Free - tickets to this workshop are free to attend but must be booked in advance.
Photo: Daniel Phung
Photo: Camilla Greenwell
'This is one of the best holiday clubs I have found. Very happy.'
Parent/Carer of previous participant
LET’S DANCE!
HOLIDAY CLUB
THURSDAY 9 APRIL–SATURDAY 11 APRIL 9.00AM–3.15PM
TICKETS £90 | FREE*
SUITABLE FOR AGES 4-11 (4-7, 8-11)
Packed with creative dance sessions, this fun holiday club is full of energy and imagination, perfect for young people to learn and express themselves through movement. Alongside dance and arts and crafts, DanceEast provides a nutritious hot lunch, with healthy snacks and drinks. It’s a fantastic chance to make new friends, boost confidence, and develop amazing new skills.
*Free to children on free school meals, or income related benefits
Photo: We Are Pine
BABY LOVES TO BOOGIE
SUNDAY 10 MAY
10.30AM–12.30PM
TICKETS 0-12 MONTHS FREE, 1-4S £5, ADULTS £7
SUITABLE FOR UNDER 4S AND THEIR FAMILIES
Celebrate Spring with your family at the coolest baby disco in town! Groove, move, and laugh together with our super fun dancers as you join in playful dance games, play with props, and boogie with your littlest disco stars. No experience needed, just bring your smiles and get ready for fun!
'It was the best morning ever!'
Previous Baby Loves to Boogie participant
KIDS LOVE TO BOOGIE
SUNDAY 10 MAY | 1.30PM–3.30PM
TICKETS 0-12 MONTHS FREE, 1-8S £5, ADULTS £7
SUITABLE FOR UNDER 8S AND THEIR FAMILIES
Get ready to groove, laugh and have a blast with your family as our energetic dance party returns this spring! Have fun while you and your family explore dance games, props and easy to follow dance moves – no experience needed, just bring your groove and share your moves!
'What a wonderful place!
The boogie has been beautifully led and my kids absolutely LOVED it. Thankyou!'
Previous Kids Love to Boogie participant
Our foyer is the perfect spot for families to relax. Enjoy a cuppa with friends while your little ones play in a safe, open area - we’ve also got plenty of room for buggies, so you can settle in comfortably and make the most of your visit.
Photo: Alicia Clarke
Photo: Alicia Clarke
DANCEEAST CENTRE FOR ADVANCED TRAINING (CAT)
DanceEast's Centre for Advanced Training, known as the CAT for short, provides high-quality dance training for young people aged 10–18. Based at the Jerwood DanceHouse on Ipswich’s Waterfront, our students come from across the East of England and attend classes in Ipswich, Norwich, and Cambridge. Each week during school term time, CAT students take classes in contemporary, ballet, hip hop dance, creative, and health. They work with professional dance artists and choreographers from diverse backgrounds and experiences. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE DANCEEAST CAT: danceeast.co.uk/cat cat@danceeast.co.uk @danceeastcat
Photo: Alicia Clarke
TASTER DAYS & OPEN STUDIO DANCE WITH US – COME AND WATCH
All of our Taster Days and Open Studios are free events. They’re a great way to experience the training, meet our tutors, and find out more about the programme.
During the Taster Days, you’ll take part in fun and practical dance workshops, including contemporary and hip hop dance, led by our fantastic CAT tutors and musicians. You’ll get to watch classes, meet the CAT team, and, in Ipswich, tour our world-class studios. While you’re dancing, parents and carers are invited to an information session
SUFFOLK
Taster Day at DanceEast, Jerwood DanceHouse
Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1DW
Sunday 8 February
11.30AM–5.00PM
SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY/HALF TERM
11.30AM–5.00PM
FREE* OPEN FOR AGES 10-16
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Taster Day at Storey’s Field Centre, Eddington Avenue, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 1AA
TUESDAY 17 FEBRUARY/HALF TERM
12.00PM–4.00PM
FREE* OPEN FOR AGES 10-16
where they can learn more about the course, funding, and how to apply.
At our Open Studio day in Ipswich, see behind-the-scenes and experience the DanceEast CAT in action. You can observe classes, see creative work our students have made, and chat with the team to get a feel for the training environment.
Book your free tickets now to discover what makes the DanceEast CAT an inspiring place to learn, move, and grow.
NORFOLK
Taster Day at The Garage 14 Chapelfield North, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1NY
MONDAY 16 FEBRUARY/ HALF TERM
12.00PM–4.00PM
FREE* OPEN FOR AGES 10-16
OPEN STUDIO
At DanceEast, Jerwood DanceHouse, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1DW
SUNDAY 8 MARCH
10.30AM–3.00PM
FREE* OPEN FOR AGES 10-16
*Free - All our Taster Days and Open Studio are free to attend but must be booked in advance.
