Dance4 spring brochure

spring 2015

CO-PRODUCED WITH DANCE4 AND NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE

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Hercules: A Dance Cabaret for all Ages

Dance4 is an international centre for the development of 21st century dance. As well as this season’s events, Dance4 provides an ongoing dance development offer across the East Midlands. We work with a range of cultural partners to create exciting opportunities for people from all walks of life to experience and engage in the richness of dance.

One extraordinary superhero, 12 impossible tasks… it’s the story of Hercules as you’ve never seen it before!

Hercules is best known for his incredible strength. But who knew the guy could dance? THIS story of Hercules is told through hilarious dance routines and amazing speciality acts. It’s a modern cabaret the whole family will enjoy.

You get a pantomime, a comic take on history and a party all rolled into one side-splitting adventure.

I came to Dance4 six years ago relishing the opportunity to lead an organisation that works with artists from a philosophy of risk, curiosity and doubt. Dance4 continues to conceive, commission and produce work that challenges perceptions of dance, blurs disciplinary boundaries and explores current and future choreographic practices.

Our spring season blossoms with such work.

Created by and starring the award-winning dancing comedy double act Tom Roden and Pete Shenton of New Art Club, with a cast of stunning professional performers and talented local dancers, this irreverent, innovative and life-affirming show will have you up on your feet wanting to dance.

Nottdance 2015 this year offers an exploration of how the body is cited as a central concern in the development of a choreographic work and explores the territory between art forms and contexts (e.g. dance in galleries). This year we will be exploring some fascinating questions including ‘when is choreography not about dancing?’ and ‘can choreography be about movement, space or time without the body?’

‘I don’t want to leave. Can I stay for the next show?’ – REUBEN (Audience member aged 7) Originally commissioned by Dance4 as part of Big Dance 2012 East Midlands, supported by the Foundation for Community Dance. Co-produced for touring by Dance4, New Art Club and Nottingham Playhouse. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

In pondering the spring programme we’ve developed I am excited about the conversations that I know will arise from seeing and participating in the work that we present and support. The wide choreographic practice on show offers new, challenging and extraordinary perspectives on the world and the development of dance and performance.

So please do join us.

2015 TOUR DATES

THURSDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2PM & 7PM THE CASTLE, WELLINGBOROUGH www.thecastle.org.uk 01933 270007

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WEDNESDAY 20 MAY 11AM & 7PM CURVE, LEICESTER www.curveonline.co.uk 0116 242 3595 FRIDAY 5 JUNE 11AM & 7:30PM GULBENKIAN, CANTERBURY www.thegulbenkian.co.uk 01227 769 075 FRIDAY12 JUNE 7.30PM DERBY THEATRE www.derbytheatre.co.uk 01332 593939 WEDNESDAY 17 JUNE 11AM & 7.45PM NEW WOLSEY THEATRE, IPSWICH www.wolseytheatre.co.uk 01473 295900 TUESDAY 23 JUNE TIMES TBC GRAND THEATRE, BLACKPOOL www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk 01253 743346 FRIDAY 24 & SATURDAY 25 JULY 2PM & 7PM PEACOCK THEATRE, LONDON www.sadlerswells.com 0844 412 4300

PAUL RUSS Chief Executive / Artistic Director

Duration: 1hr 30 (including interval) Suitable for all

@PaulRussDance4

See www.herculestour.co.uk for more 2015 dates and a trailer of the show along with filmed interviews, audience reactions, photos and other fun stuff.

College Street Centre, College Street, Nottingham NG1 5AQ 0115 941 0773 • www.dance4.co.uk

@HerculesTheTour /NewArtClubHerculesTour

wearedance4

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Dance4

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Registered Charity No 1015437 Cover Photo: Alma Haser (Two Destination Language, p.13) Design: MightyGrand.co.uk

Photo: Chris Nash

@Dance_4

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SATURDAY 24 JANUARY 7PM ROYAL & DERNGATE, NORTHAMPTON Tickets: £9 / £7 www.royalandderngate.co.uk

SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 7PM NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE Tickets: £9 / £7 www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk

SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 7.30PM CURVE, LEICESTER Tickets: £9 / £7 www.curveonline.co.uk

U.Dance is back!

SATURDAY 28 FEBRUARY 7.30PM LINCOLN PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE Tickets: £5 • www.lpac.co.uk Presented by ArtsNK

TUESDAY 10 MARCH 7PM POMEGRANATE THEATRE, CHESTERFIELD Tickets: £9 / £7 • www.pomegranatetheatre.co.uk Presented by Déda

These prestigious dance events have been running in the region for over 10 years. They showcase the very best local creativity and talent. Every year performances grow in size and aspiration.

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There are five county platforms, at which a specialist panel selects groups to perform at the cross-regional MY Dance festival later in the year. Selected groups from MY Dance then go on to perform at the national U.Dance event, this year held in Plymouth.

Dance4 is delighted to be working with local partners and Youth Dance England in order to inspire and support dance performance opportunities for children and young people within the U.Dance national framework.

For more information visit dance4.co.uk.

SATURDAY 11 APRIL 7PM • NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE Tickets: £9 / £7 • www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk presents

East meets West as Dance4 joins forces again with DanceXchange for this crossregional celebration of youth dance. MY Dance Festival will feature outstanding performances by talented young dancers from across the Midlands.

CENTRE FOR ADVANCED TRAINING

A day aimed at boys aged 11-17 interested in finding out more about dance. Whatever your previous experience of dance, come and take part in a day of workshops with inspiring Hip Hop and Contemporary Dance professionals.

SATURDAY 4 APRIL 11AM–4PM DJANOGLY CITY ACADEMY THEATRE, NOTTINGHAM NG7 7AR FREE • Booking is essential To book visit www.dance4.co.uk or email cat@dance4.co.uk.

Dance4’s Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) is a dedicated part-time training programme created to nurture and support aspiring and talented young people with an interest in dance, helping them to fulfil their potential as professional dance artists.

Core curriculum classes are held in central Nottingham venues on Saturdays during term time. Students explore various classical and contemporary techniques alongside creative exploration in order to increase body awareness, working to improve strength, flexibility, control and understanding of movement. For further information contact cat@dance4.co.uk.

CAT member Ruben Brown joined the Dance4 CAT programme in 2010, aged 14 and has since progressed and developed into a strong and confident dancer. Last year he successfully auditioned for the National Youth Dance Company working and touring with Akram Khan during 2013/2014. Ruben graduated from the Dance4 CAT scheme in July 2014 and has just taken up a place at London Contemporary Dance School.

SATURDAY 25 APRIL 3.30–6PM DJANOGLY CITY ACADEMY THEATRE, NOTTINGHAM NG7 7AR FREE • Booking is essential To book visit www.dance4.co.uk or email cat@dance4.co.uk.

CENTRE FOR ADVANCED TRAINING WORKSHOPS SCHOOL WORKSHOPS Dance4’s Centre for Advance Training is offering FREE school workshops to secondary schools across the East Midlands. Workshops can take place during term time until FRIDAY 24 APRIL 2015.

Dance4 is offering schools the opportunity to host a workshop for students that show potential in dance and who may have the desire to become professional dance artists.

We are encouraging schools to invite additional students from surrounding schools in their area.

Workshops are aimed at Years 7, 8, 9 & 10.

FREE For more information and to book a school workshop please visit www.dance4.co.uk or email cat@dance4.co.uk.

XZIBIT YOUNG Photo: Sean Halidy

Dance4’s Centre for Advanced Training is pleased to announce that three of its students have been awarded the opportunity to become National Young Dance Ambassadors for Youth Dance England. As part of their role they will be representing their regions and promoting and advocating dance for all children and young people. The role of National Young Dance Ambassador carries responsibility along with rewards and the opportunity for personal growth and achievement. We wish them all the best.

Dance4 Centre for Advanced Training is offering a FREE Open Taster Session for young people aged 11 - 17 years to take part and experience a CAT session before auditioning for the programme. The session includes a technique and creative session as well as an opportunity to watch current CAT students take class.

CREATIVES 2015 Xzibit is the culmination of a three-month intensive programme of workshops, masterclasses and mentoring created and curated by Nottingham based choreographer Gareth Woodward, that brings nationally and internationally recognised dance leaders to the city.

This performance is the much-anticipated showcase of work from the 12 selected talented young choreographers who are the class of 2015!

FRIDAY 27 MARCH 7.30PM NOTTINGHAM CONTEMPORARY, NG1 2GB Tickets: £5 www.garethwoodward.com/xzibit Duration: 1hr 30 • Suitable for all Developed in partnership with County Youth Arts, Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council. Supported by Dance4.

Children & Young People

Children & Young People

CENTRE FOR ADVANCED TRAINING NEWS

OPEN TASTER SESSION

Photo: Anthony Hopwood

Dance4’s CAT provides access to world-class training opportunities for young people aged between 11-18 years with exceptional potential in dance. Interested young people do not necessarily need to have a lot of previous experience of dance. Instead we are looking for enthusiastic, ambitious and determined young people with an interest in pursuing a career in dance. Dance4’s CAT is an inclusive programme and the age range is flexible in certain circumstances. Email cat@dance4.co.uk with enquiries.

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BOYS EXPERIENCE DAY

Photo: David Severn

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Photo: Sean Goldthorpe

2FACED DANCE (UK)

AAKASH ODEDRA COMPANY (UK)

Dreaming in Code

Murmur and Inked

‘Dreams are true while they last, and do we not live in dreams?’ – ALFRED LORD TENNYSON Award-winning choreographer Tamsin Fitzgerald and Eddie Kay of Frantic Assembly present Dreaming in Code, an explosive, visceral, brand-new double bill performed by one of the UK’s most innovative male dance companies. Featuring a breathtaking collision of kinetically charged dance and theatre, with music by Tony-nominated composer Alex Baranowski, 2Faced Dance explores what the future could look like in this powerful and fearless work. Exhilarating, heart-breaking, devastating and joyful.

‘They slam, slide and somersault their way through with a swift determination that rarely falters’ – THE TIMES There will be a post-show discussion with Dance4.

TUESDAY 3 FEBRUARY 8PM NOTTINGHAM LAKESIDE ARTS, NG7 2RD Tickets: £16 (£14 concessions) £12 restricted view £15 including workshop place www.lakesidearts.org.uk Duration: 1hr 20 (including interval) Suitable for 11+ DANCE WORKSHOP Working with 2Faced Dance, this high energy physical workshop is aimed at people who want to develop their own practice and who are not afraid to take risks.

MONDAY 2 FEBRUARY 6PM-8PM PERFORMING ARTS STUDIO, NOTTINGHAM LAKESIDE ARTS, NG7 2RD £5 (£15 including ticket for performance) Suitable for 16+ students of dance

Murmur and Inked is a new double bill by multi-award-winning Aakash Odedra Company.

Murmur delves into the world of the warped and exaggerated realities experienced by those who suffer from dyslexia. In a collaboration with Lewis Major and Arts Electronica Futurelab (Austria), the company explores how the misconceptions of dyslexia can be revealed through visual design, light, sound and movement.

In Inked, Odedra commissions Olivier awardwinning choreographer Damien Jalet to

explore tribal markings and tattoos. Inspired

by Aakash’s grandmother’s tattoos, the duo explore the notions of belonging, protection and restriction.

There will be a post show discussion with Dance4.

TUESDAY 27 JANUARY 8PM NOTTINGHAM LAKESIDE ARTS, NG7 2RD Tickets £15 (£13 concessions) £11 restricted view www.lakesidearts.org.uk Duration: 1hr 25 (including interval) Suitable for 11+

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presents in partnership with Nottingham Lakeside Arts

presents in partnership with Nottingham Lakeside Arts

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CANDOCO DANCE COMPANY (UK) / JEROME BEL (FRANCE) The Show Must Go On The Show Must Go On is one of the iconic works in the career of French choreographer Jérôme Bel. It examines the relationship between art and life, constantly surprising and challenging the viewer’s expectations. Controlled by a DJ and audio feed, the performers follow lyrics of the songs, ranging from musicals to well-loved pop songs.

‘The choreography crackles with an energy that makes you realise just how versatile, how unstinting, the dancers are. Wow!’ – THE HERALD

In this production Candoco Dance Company, the renowned contemporary dance company of disabled and non-disabled performers, brings together a UK-wide cast of twenty performers, nineteen pop songs and one DJ.

Duration: 90 minutes • Suitable for all

FRIDAY 17 & SATURDAY 18 APRIL 8PM NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE, NG1 5AF Tickets: £17 (£15 concessions) www.nottinghamplayouse.co.uk

www.jeromebel.fr • www.candoco.co.uk

LANGUAGE (UK)

Photo: Riccardo Musacchio & Flavio Ianniello

A heartfelt story about survival… Two performers have a difficult story to tell. They come on stage and attempt to put into words the utterly unspeakable. Delivered in English and Bulgarian, with pounding gypsy-inspired music, this beautiful performance fills an empty space with two performers, hundreds of fresh flowers and a storm of emotion. A performance piece that packs a punch transforming your very sense of what it is to be a mother, a father, a child. And you’ll leave more fully alive than ever.

‘A reminder that even in our darkest times there is hope’ – AUDIENCE MEMBER, Salisbury Arts Centre SATURDAY 28 FEBRUARY 8PM EMBRACE ARTS, LEICESTER LE1 7HA Tickets: £10 (£5 concessions) www.embracearts.co.uk www.twodestinationlanguage.com

Adventures in improvisation continue as Quick Shifts returns for another series of impromptu dance performances. Led by a pioneering group of dance explorers, these evenings navigate the unpredictable terrain of improvised performance, asking questions, breaking new ground and excavating the endless potential of spontaneous moment.

Each show offers something different and the Quick Shifts’ artists are regularly joined by other UK and international guest performers and musicians. There are frequent opportunities for you to engage in discussion with the artists and participate in a range of ways including online and even occasionally onstage (but this is not compulsory!).

SUNDAY 26 APRIL 6PM EMBRACE ARTS, LEICESTER LE1 7HA Tickets: £6 (£4 concessions) www.embracearts.co.uk www.quickshiftsimprovise.org QuickShifts @quick_shifts

Duration: 1hr • Suitable for 14+ Duration: 2 hrs • Suitable for all A Colchester Arts Centre commission, supported by Arts Council England and The Point, Eastleigh.

Supported by Dance4

presents in partnership with Embrace Arts

presents in partnership with Nottingham Playhouse

Near Gone

QUICK SHIFTS (UK)

Photo: Claire Hicks

TWO DESTINATION

Photo: Alma Haser

Co-commissioned by Sadler’s Wells London, Tramway Glasgow and Dance 4 Nottingham with additional support from Greenwich Dance.

DANCE IN THE REGION MATTHEW BOURNE (UK) Edward Scissorhands Presenting its first major revival, Matthew takes a fresh look at this modern fairytale, which will be revitalised for a whole new generation of dance lovers and theatregoers.

TUESDAY 20 – SATURDAY 24 JANUARY TUESDAY – FRIDAY 7.30PM SATURDAY 2.30PM & 7.30PM THEATRE ROYAL CONCERT HALL, NOTTINGHAM NG1 5ND www.trch.co.uk

AAKASH ODEDRA CO. (UK) Murmur & Inked See page 11 for full details.

FRIDAY 30 JANUARY 7.30PM DEDA, DERBY DE1 3GU www.deda.uk.com

2FACED DANCE (UK)

CORALI (UK)

Dreaming in Code

Empty Theatre Dream

See page 10 for full details.

WEDNESDAY 4 FEBRUARY 8PM LINCOLN DRILL HALL, LN2 1EY www.lincolndrillhall.com

JOLI VYANN (UK) Stateless examines humanity and tolerance, immigration and the wonder of travel and discovers moments of sadness, courage, friendship and wit. A truly breath-taking mix of dance and circus.

THURSDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2PM & 7PM LINCOLN DRILL HALL, LN2 1EY www.lincolndrillhall.com

PHOENIX DANCE THEATRE (UK) Mixed Programme This mixed programme features a double bill

by Christopher Bruce CBE. TUESDAY 3 MARCH 7.45PM CURVE, LEICESTER LE1 1SB www.curveonline.co.uk

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HAGIT YAKIRA (ISRAEL) …in the middle with you Five dancers present a snapshot of the ups and downs of everyday life. The need to love, struggle, survive, stop, lose, fear and fall.

TUESDAY 10 MARCH 8PM LINCOLN DRILL HALL, LINCOLN LN2 1EY www.lincolndrillhall.com

Rejoice in the Lamb

SCOTTISH DANCE THEATRE (UK) Fleur Darkin’s Innocence

JASMIN VARDIMON

NOFIT STATE (UK)

DANCE COMPANY (UK)

Noodles

Park Park is an urban oasis, a place of refuge from ordinary life where eight characters play, fight, fall in love and learn to survive. Their stories intertwine creating a modern day fairytale that is alternately sharp, funny and cruel.

THURSDAY 5 MARCH 7.30PM THE CASTLE, WELLINGBOROUGH NN8 1XA www.thecastle.org.uk

A fantastic show for ages 3+ but also suitable for toddlers & babies and their adults. Innocence is a unique ‘performance playroom’ where the audience explore William Blake’s Songs of Innocence in a wonderful interactive journey of dance, theatre, story and live music.

THURSDAY 12 MARCH 11.30AM & 2.30PM LINCOLN DRILL HALL, LINCOLN LN2 1EY www.lincolndrillhall.com FRIDAY 13 MARCH 1PM & 5PM EMBRACE ARTS, LEICESTER LE1 7HA www.embracearts.co.uk SATURDAY 14 MARCH 11.30AM & 2.30PM DEDA, DERBY DE1 3GU www.deda.uk.com

WENDY HOUSTOUN (UK) As well as appearing in Nottdance in 2015, Wendy brings two previous pieces commissioned by Dance4 to the region.

50 Acts Warm, intimate and affecting, 50 Acts is a spirited retaliation against ageism. Involving: manifestos, songs, apologies and errors, random acts, small dances and big ideas, ghostly appearances, invisibility, stupidity, inexplicable feats and unexpected turns, techno idiocy and much, much more.

WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 7.30PM LINCOLN PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE, LINCOLN LN6 7TS www.lpac.co.uk

Pact with Pointlessness A mix of comedy, spoken word and performance, it offers a frank demonstration of how it feels to be knocked sideways by death, then renegotiate and carry on.

FRIDAY 27 MARCH 7.30PM DEDA, DERBY DE1 3GU www.deda.uk.com

highlights

In a sea of irreverent chaos and a world of knots, wires and spaghetti, a cooking show loses the plot as the noodles take over. Aerialists, hand-balancers, wire-walkers, contortionists and magicians twist and bend the frontiers of reality.

TUESDAY 3 & WEDNESDAY 4 FEBRUARY 8PM THE CASTLE, WELLINGBOROUGH NN8 1XA www.thecastle.org.uk

Inspired by dreams the performers have had, the work incorporates dance, spoken word, live music and projected animation.

FRIDAY 6 MARCH 7PM 1PM PERFORMANCE FOR SCHOOLS EMBRACE ARTS, LEICESTER LE1 7HA www.embracearts.co.uk

Stateless

RICHARD ALSTON DANCE (UK) Rejoice in the Lamb, set to Benjamin Britten’s wonderful cantata, was described by the New York Times as showing Alston’s ‘impeccable craftsmanship’. Also in this programme, the latest dance by Martin Lawrance, inspired by Liszt’s Petrarch Sonnets, played live onstage by Jason Ridgway.

TUESDAY 3 FEBRUARY 7.30PM BUXTON OPERA HOUSE SK17 6XN www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

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Photo: Chris Nash

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