Breaking Barriers
The Boyz are Back BalletBoyz has established itself as one of the most original and innovative forces in modern dance, revolutionising programming formats, commissioning award-winning work and collaborating with cutting-edge talent. One Editor Cameron Ball talks to Co-founders Michael Nunn and William Trevitt about being back on tour this spring, the company’s 20-year development, and the barriers they’ve broken along the way.
Cameron Ball
Deluxe tour 2022 Planned for 2020 to celebrate BalletBoyz’ 20th anniversary, the production of Deluxe was one of the first pieces of work to be adapted in lockdown for broadcast, premiering online and later on BBC Four. The 2022 tour will finally see Deluxe on stages throughout the UK, as was originally intended. Nunn and Trevitt are motivated by collaboration, seeking to challenge, excite and enlighten audiences by bringing together elements from diverse realms of the arts including composers, artists, designers and filmmakers. Deluxe is no exception, involving an all-female choreographic team and some
interesting collaborations: Shanghaibased dancer and choreographer Xie Xin has created Ripple, set to an original score by composer Jiang Shaofeng, and Punchdrunk’s Maxine Doyle has created Bradley 4:18, to live jazz music composed specially for the piece by Cassie Kinoshi of SEED Ensemble. Alongside an extensive body of stage and screen work, the company is engaged in many community dance and education projects, including BBz Youth Company, MoovBank and Parkinson’s CAN Dance. In what is a brilliant success story, a former member of Balletboyz’ Weekend Dancers’ Course (now BBz Youth Company) is performing in Deluxe this spring.
Photos: Top: Dani Bower for One Dance UK, Bottom: George Piper
BalletBoyz Deluxe
The One Dance UK Magazine | Spring 2022 33
