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SECTOR DEVELOPMENTS
40 YEARS OF PHOENIX
WITH PHOENIX DANCE THEATRE CO-FOUNDER DAVID HAMILTON MBE AND CURRENT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR DANE HURST CATCH THE CONVERSATION: YOUTUBE
Dane Hurst © Pierre Tappon
David Hamilton MBE © Jonathan Gawthorpe/ Yorkshire Evening Post
SOUNDCLOUD
Founded in 1981 by three Black British men from Harehills, Leeds, Phoenix Dance Theatre is one of the UK’s leading contemporary dance companies. In 2021-2 the company celebrates 40 years since its inception with a series of special events honouring the company’s proud traditions and four decades of work. One Dance UK Chief Executive Andrew Hurst MBE sat down with one of the company’s co-founders, David Hamilton MBE, and current Artistic Director Dane Hurst, to talk about the company’s foundations and new direction, the importance of cultural exchange, and what exciting events we can expect as part of the celebrations.
About Phoenix Dance Theatre
Heart of Chaos (chorography Darshan Singh Bhuller, 1993), restaged for the 40th anniversary celebrations
Phoenix Dance Theatre’s ‘Gang of Five’ (1989) © Terry Cryer
Phoenix Dance Theatre is the longest-standing contemporary dance company based outside London. The company’s aim is to create dynamic, diverse and relevant work that embodies rich Caribbean history and shines a light on cultural narratives which are often overlooked or untold. Over nearly four decades the company has grown to be internationally respected for its artistic programmes which encapsulate the diverse spirit of multicultural Britain. Each year the company embarks on national tours presenting critically acclaimed dance productions to audiences throughout the UK and abroad – reaching up to 20,000 people and engaging with up to 6,500 people through the company’s extensive education provision and outreach.
