PERFORMANCES Spring/Summer 2011
TICKET SALES 0844 338 5000 INFO & BUY ONLINE dancexchange.org.uk DanceXchange // Birmingham Hippodrome // Hurst Street // Birmingham // B5 4TB
AT A GLANCE SEASON DIARY FRI 7 JAN - SUN 16 JAN
Sophia Clist // (re) Stretch
P4&5
Made of hundreds of strands of fine elastic under tension, stretching from wall to wall, make your own multisensory journey outside in.
THU 27 JAN
David Toole & Lucy Hind // Extra-Ordinary
P6&7
A duet, written, directed and performed by David Toole and Lucy Hind, one with no legs, one with no clue.
THU 17 FEB
Protein // LOL (lots of love)
P8&9
Logging on to our lives online, Protein delve into the world of electronic communication to uncover the impact social networking and the internet have had upon the way we live, love one another and belong to society in general.
FRI 11 MAR
Tilted Productions // Masquerade
P10 &11
Feasting the eyes and provoking the mind, six outstanding dancers aged between 25 and 60 will de and re-construct bodies and their secrets.
SAT 26 MAR
Avant Garde Dance // Illegal Dance
P12 &13
London’s leading Hip hop company make their Birmingham debut with this immersive multimedia production.
THU 21 APR
Company Chameleon // Kith/Kin
P14 &15
A double bill from Company Chameleon founders Anthony Missen and Kevin Turner, exploring masculinity and male identity.
THU 5 MAY
Mobius Dance Theatre // Such is Life
P16 &17
Five individuals explore the trials and tribulations of life and relationships using high energy choreography.
FRI 20 - SUN 22 MAY
DanceXchange Family Weekend A weekend of dance performances and workshops, suitable for children and their families. 2
P18 &19
Welcome to a new season at The Patrick Centre, DanceXchange’s dedicated theatre for the production and presentation of dance. We have lots in store for you this season, as we welcome back old friends and some companies visiting Birmingham for the first time. Before we start the performances though, we’re pleased to be working with Birmingham Hippodrome to bring the acclaimed (re)Stretch, by Sophia Clist, to The Patrick Centre. This fabulous piece is made from hundreds of strands of stretched elastic which you can engage with in all sorts of ways – pop along and have a play. Onto the season proper, and we open with the fantastic Extra-Ordinary, a funny and thought provoking piece by David Toole, one of the country’s most acclaimed disabled dance performers, and Lucy Hind. Warm and charming, this piece is a personal look at performance and partnership through the eyes of these two exceptional artists. Next we see the return of two companies well known to Birmingham audiences. In February Luca Silvestrini’s Protein present their brand new work LOL (lots of love) – a poignant search for physical connection in a world dominated by the virtual, featuring Luca’s trademark witty and energetic brand of dance and social commentary. Then, in March, Maresa Von Stockert’s Tilted Productions perform their new work Masquerade. Exploring dreams and the subconscious using cutting edge prosthetics, expect a work which is macabre and surreal whilst featuring Maresa’s intricate movement material. At the end of March, Avant Garde Dance, one of the most exciting and ambitious young companies currently working in hip-hop, will perform Illegal Dance. With influences including film and comic books, expect an immersive and slightly sinister experience. Company Chameleon are another exciting young company visiting DanceXchange for the first time this season. Anthony and Kevin have a fantastic pedigree as dancers, and bring this to their work, along with a very particular and personal choreographic style. In May, West Midlands-based artist Kate Mason brings her company, Mobius Dance Theatre, to The Patrick Centre with their production Such is Life. The company manages to turn everyday scenarios, relationships and the trivial into fun, entertaining and dynamic dance theatre which doesn’t take itself too seriously. Finally this season we have DanceXchange’s annual Family Weekend and two great shows. White Caps is a stunning work, and one of the best examples of combining film, music and physical performance I’ve seen. Tracing the physical and emotional journey of two b-boys, it’s a work which will entertain and engage dance fans of all ages. For younger children we have the charming See Saw, by Irish dance company Ciotóg. With three outstanding performers using dance and movement to engage very closely with the audience, it’s an enthralling work.
See you soon! Paul Burns, Programme Manager, DanceXchange
TICKETS In advance: £10 / £7 concession On the day: £12 / £9 concession TICKET SALES 0844 338 5000 INFO & BUY ONLINE dancexchange.org.uk
IMAGE: ED MOORE
Wow. What a lot of great dance! And, with ticket prices staying at last season’s reduced rate, there really is no excuse not to come to see something at The Patrick Centre this season.
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Sophia Clist in collaboration with Nick Burge
(RE) STRETCH Friday 7 - Sunday 16 January Open one hour ahead of Dick Whittington performances and during the interval Saturdays 12pm - 5pm The Patrick Centre, Level 2, Birmingham Hippodrome
IMAGES: TOM MARTIN / JUSTIN PIPERGER
A blank canvas, an electro acoustic harp, a screen, minimalist and symbolic in appearance, (re)Stretch is made of hundreds of strands of fine elastic under tension, stretching from wall to wall. There are no instructions about what to do or how to be. Make your own multisensory journey outside in.
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Suitable for all ages
FREE OF CHARGE
Stretch is an evolving artwork conceived and designed by Sophia Clist and developed in collaboration with Craig Vear, Nick Burge and Ragnhild Olsen. Stretch was originally commissioned by Crying Out Loud as part of its PIPs programme. (re)Stretch is presented by Birmingham Hippodrome in association with DanceXchange.
“A magical and engaging experience for children of all ages” CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT JUICE CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
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IMAGE: SIMON WARNER
Development Lab
EXTRA-ORDINARY Thursday 27 January // 8pm David Toole, acclaimed for his work as an actor and dancer on stage and screen. His credits are numerous, his critics adoring, his biggest fan about to partner him in an extraordinary duet. How will naïve South African Lucy Hind fare? How will she contain herself in the presence of her idol? A most extraordinary journey of self-discovery for them both awaits, in this incredibly funny, moving and soberingly incisive satirical dance piece. A duet, written, directed and performed by David Toole and Lucy Hind, one with no legs, one with no clue. Age guidance: 12yrs+
“Toole... physically spectacular... gives a stunning performance” THE TIMES
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Luca Silvestrini’s Protein
LOL (LOTS OF LOVE) Thursday 17 February // 8pm Known for turning the everyday into witty and profound dance theatre, Luca Silvestrini’s award-winning Protein return with a timely new piece of physical theatre where love, wanting and connectedness take centre stage. Logging on to our lives online, LOL (lots of love) delves into the world of electronic communication to uncover the evolutionary shift that social networking and the internet have had upon the way we live, love one another and belong to society in general. With video animation by Rachel Davies, lighting by Jackie Shemesh – co-creators of Protein’s Dear Body – and with original music by Andy Pink, LOL (lots of love) mixes social comment, provocative humour and engaging performances. Commissioned by Dance East, Greenwich Dance and The Place and supported by South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell.
IMAGE: NUNO SANTOS
Age guidance: 14yrs+
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“Extremely clever and constantly entertaining” HHHH THE TIMES ON DEAR BODY
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10 IMAGE: THOMAS ZANON-LARCHER
Tilted Productions
MASQUERADE Friday 11 March // 8pm Described by Maresa von Stockert as her very personal love declaration to Surrealism, Masquerade is inspired by Freud’s interpretation of dreams and the Surrealist movement of the mid twentieth century and its fascination with the subconscious, eroticism and death and the mystery of time. Feasting the eyes and provoking the mind, six outstanding dancers aged between 25 and 60 will de and re-construct bodies and their secrets. Maresa von Stockert will collaborate with renowned SFX artist John Schoonraad, who will create delicate sculpted faces and prosthetics that will be brought to life by the dancers. Evoking vivid imagery from the beautifully macabre to the violently sensual, Masquerade invites you to leave the rules of reason behind and dive into a dreamlike world. Age guidance: 14yrs+
“Scrupulously focused yet wildly hallucinatory” THE GUARDIAN 11
Avant Garde Dance
ILLEGAL DANCE Saturday 26 March // 8pm London’s leading Hip hop company Avant Garde Dance, led by Artistic Director Tony Adigun, are making their Birmingham debut with Illegal Dance. Working with digital artist Nic Sandiland, the fully immersive, 360 degree multimedia production reveals an underground society where dance and artistic expression are suppressed, forbidden and illegal. Breaking convention and showing a distinctive and innovative style, Illegal Dance will create an interactive realm where the spectator becomes part of the spectacle and where the real and the surreal are blurred. The work includes the involvement of local dancers. Avant Garde Dance is an East London Dance Associate Company.
IMAGE: IRVEN LEWIS
Age guidance: 11yrs+
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“Bold, inventive dance... an adventure in Hip Hop” THE STAGE
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Company Chameleon
KITH/KIN Thursday 21 April // 8pm A double bill from Company Chameleon founders Anthony Missen and Kevin Turner, Kith/Kin explores masculinity and male identity. Before Night Fell, created with choreographer Beth Cassani, looks at notions of camaraderie and bravery and sees the company develop concepts of physical risk, intimacy, vulnerability, power and manipulation. Meanwhile Rites uses the personal and shared histories of Missen and Turner, charting the passage from childhood, through adolescence into adulthood. Powerful and poignant in its exploration of those events and experiences that shape us as friends, brothers, fathers and sons, the work combines bold athleticism with moments of touching sensitivity. Age guidance: 11yrs+
“A strong double bill… explosive economy and breathtaking power and conviction” THE TIMES HHHH 15
Mobius Dance Theatre
SUCH IS LIFE Thursday 5 May // 8pm Honest, athletic and rhythmical, Such Is Life is all about normal stuff, the happenings of everyday flipped and twisted up by Mobius’ raw physicality and unhinged humour. Directed by founder Kate Mason, the programme weaves together three related pieces that explore life, love and art by five characters set against three different situations. The Root of It examines the pleasure and pain of living with the influence of the past; Pressure Gauge explores the struggle to strike a balance between life and a relationship; and Performing Monkey considers the pressure to perform, succeed and be the best in everything we do. Mobius Dance Theatre is associate company to The Maltings Theatre.
IMAGE: LIFT CREATIVE SERVICES
Age guidance: 11yrs+
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“This combination of a wild imagination and a quirky sense of humour is ever present in Mobius” THIS IS LOCAL: LONDON
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FAMILY WEEKEND “A gripping and magical journey through the dance of life” THE GUARDIAN
Champloo Dance and Travelling Light
WHITE CAPS IMAGE: ROB SAUNDERS
Friday 20 & Saturday 21 May // 7pm
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White Caps, by Wilkie Branson, follows the journey of two young men as they embark on an epic adventure: an exhilarating and compassionate search for completeness. Expressed through cinematic film and bboy performance, White Caps brings one of the world’s most raw and exciting cultures into the theatre. Witness this explosive fusion of filmed and live dance performed by Champloo’s Wilkie Branson and Joel Daniel.
Champloo create dance works through both live performance and film with a strong emphasis on cross art form collaboration. Co-producers Travelling Light have a national and international reputation for the quality of the theatre they create for young audiences. Age guidance: 9yrs+
A WEEKEND OF DANCE PERFORMANCES AND WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES - VISIT WWW.DANCEXCHANGE.ORG.UK FOR DETAILS
Ciotóg
SEE SAW Saturday 21 May & Sunday 22 May // 11am & 2pm ...gently rocking the balance between looking and being looked at, a dance show for and with families with young children... Let your child lead you in looking at dance. In an intimate and informal environment, with everyone on the floor together, you’re invited to sit down and stretch out as a beautifully intricate and quirkily abstract trio, dances in front, behind, around, over – and maybe even with you! See Saw is not only about dancing itself, but how we experience dance, and how every audience influences the dance, to make each performance a unique and special dialogue.
Age guidance: for families with young children up to 8yrs
“A festival experience to treasure” DANCE EUROPE
IMAGE: PAUL KINSELLA
Ríonach Ní Néill/Ciotog is Galway Dancer in Residence and a Project Arts Centre (Dublin) Catalyst Artist.
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TICKETS In advance: £10 / £7 concession On the day: £12 / £9 concession
HOW TO BOOK
HOW TO FIND US
ONLINE: www.dancexchange.org.uk 5% transaction fee. TELEPHONE: 0844 338 5000 (calls cost from 5p per min) Mon-Sat, 9.30am-8pm. 5% transaction fee. IN PERSON: Mon-Sat, 10am-8pm. Birmingham Hippodrome Ticket Sales (main entrance on Hurst Street). 5% transaction fee unless paying by cash. AGENCIES: Tickets are also available from The TicketShop (Rotunda, Bullring, 0121 202 5000). PAYMENT: We accept most major credit and debit cards. Please make cheques payable to Birmingham Hippodrome. Tickets can be posted for a charge of £1. Please note that we are required to post tickets direct to the registered card address. TICKET PRICES: For most of our performances it’s cheaper to book in advance. In advance is any day up to and including the day before the show. For example, the last day you can claim in advance prices for a Saturday show would be the Friday before. CONCESSIONS: Under 16s, full time students, over 60s and those on jobseekers allowance or income support. Concessionary rates are also available for Birmingham Hippodrome Friends and BRB Friends (please quote your membership number when booking). SCHOOLS OFFER, 11YRS+ £6 tickets for groups of 5 or more students, with teachers/chaperones free of charge. This offer is for secondary schools, colleges, Universities and groups working with young people 11yrs+. This offer is available by telephone or in person, not available online. SCHOOLS OFFER, 5-10YRS £4 tickets for groups of 5 or more pupils, with teachers/chaperones free of charge. Valid for primary schools and groups working with children aged 5-10yrs. This offer is available by telephone or in person, not available online. GROUP BOOKINGS: Buy 10 tickets and receive one further ticket free. ACCESS: DanceXchange welcomes visitors with disabilities to all its productions and events -- if you would like to discuss your visit please do so when booking your tickets.
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DanceXchange is located within the Birmingham Hippodrome complex on Hurst Street, very near the Bull Ring Market and the Arcadian Centre. BY TRAIN: New Street and Moor Street stations are approx 5-10 mins walk. For local service information please contact Centro on 0121 200 2700. BY BUS: For local enquiries please contact Centro on 0121 200 2700. BY CAR: There are pay & display car parks nearby, including a multi-storey in the Arcadian Centre.
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Dance at
this Spring/Summer
Matthew Bourne’s CINDERELLA Tue 15 - Sat 19 Feb £15 - £37 New Adventures’ new production of CINDERELLA is a thrilling and evocative journey through London during the Second World War. Matthew Bourne’s interpretation of Prokofiev’s haunting score has, at its heart, a true wartime romance. A chance meeting results in a magical night for Cinderella and her dashing young RAF pilot, together just long enough to fall in love before being parted by the horrors of the Blitz.
LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO
Birmingham Royal Ballet – LA FILLE MAL GARDÉE
Watch out, ballet’s very-grandes dames are back. After sell-out performances in 2008, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (or ‘The Trocks’ to their friends) return with a fantastic programme, a lorry load of costume changes and lashings of diva attitude.
Wed 2 - Sat 5 Mar £15 - £45 When country beauty Lise falls in love with farm lad Colas, she’s about to upset the apple cart. Her mother, Widow Simone, has her own ideas about who her daughter should marry. Enter Thomas, a pompous and wealthy vineyard owner. And Alain, his rich son – attractive as a potato, smart as a turnip and the proud possessor of two left feet. Now watch as each of this merry crew try to meet their heart’s desires. Ever popular because of its simple, engaging story, wonderful wit and pulsating passion, La Fille mal gardée remains a firm favourite for all the family.
Wed 30 Mar - Sat 2 Apr £12.50 - £29.50
MIDNIGHT TANGO Mon 23 - Sat 28 May £13.50 - £32.50 Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace have dazzled television audiences for six series of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing with their stunning Tango routines. Now they have created their own live show – Midnight Tango – a breathtaking evening bringing all the drama, sensuality and elegance of this most exciting of dance forms to life.
BOOK ONLINE www.birminghamhippodrome.com TICKET SALES 0844 338 5000 GROUP SALES 0844 338 7000 CALLS COST FROM 5P PER MINUTE, 5% TRANSACTION CHARGE APPLIES.
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WE’VE GOT SOME GREAT SPACES TO HIRE HERE AT DANCEXCHANGE, SUITABLE FOR A VARIETY OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES. HOUSED WITHIN BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME, THEY’RE CENTRALLY LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY CENTRE. The Patrick Centre is a 206 seat multi-purpose studio theatre within Birmingham Hippodrome, perfect for many types of performances, functions and events. SPECIFICATION • 9m x 9m performance area (with raked seating and side wings in) • Venue size without seating approx 12m x 24m • Sprung floor • Full lighting and sound rig available on request • Projection facilities • Dressing rooms available on request COSTS • From £450+VAT (additional charges will be made for any equipment hire, technical support or staff required) • Discounted rates are available for West Midlands based dance artists
IMAGES COURTESY OF BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME
We’ve also got 3 fully equipped dance studios, ideal for classes, workshops, rehearsals and small-scale conferences.
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• • • • • •
All studios 12m x 12m Fully sprung floors with non-slip Harlequin dance flooring Full length mirrors Air conditioning Sound equipment including CD player and MP3 options Male & female accessible changing facilities including showers and toilets • Prices start from £30+VAT per hour (additional charges may be made for equipment hire, technical support and/or staff cover required) • Discounted rate for West Midlands based dance artists £10+ VAT per hour!
CALL DANCEXCHANGE TODAY WITH YOUR HIRING ENQUIRY ON 0121 689 3170, OR EMAIL INFO@DANCEXCHANGE.ORG.UK
The Best of
RAW ENERGY Sunday 27 February 2011 7.30pm The Best of Raw Energy will be a memorable evening of diverse and exciting dance recognising the work of some of the best youth groups in the West Midlands, both past and present.
IMAGE: BRIAN SLATER
With a retrospective programme, including original pieces by Beingfrank Youth and Sonia Sabri’s Kathakaars, the event celebrates the success of U.Dance Youth Dance Platforms at DanceXchange since 2005, as well as the youth dance work that has taken place across the region over the last two years.
TICKETS: ÂŁ6 TO BOOK CALL 0844 338 5000 OR VISIT www.dancexchange.org.uk 23
A partner organisation with Birmingham Hippodrome and Birmingham Royal Ballet, dx is dedicated to creating exciting opportunities for people of all walks of life to engage in dance, either as participant, performer or audience member. Postal address:
DanceXchange Birmingham Hippodrome Thorp Street Birmingham B5 4TB
T: 0121 689 3170 E: info@dancexchange.org.uk www.dancexchange.org.uk
This leaflet can be made available in alternative formats. Please contact us for details. dx registered charity no.1045364 This brochure is printed with vegetable-based inks and is FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) accredited. www.21stcd.com
COVER IMAGE: PROTEIN PHOTOGRAPHER: NUNO SANTOS All information in this brochure is correct at time of going to print
DanceXchange (dx) is a power house of dance.