CHOREOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHY: a change of direction

A combination of geography, choreography and a creative response to COVID-19 refreshed the practice and reset the direction of Bridport Youth Dance Company, which is based beside the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site in south western rural England. Teacher, producer and choreographer Nikki Northover explains how.

In March 2020 Bridport Youth Dance (BYD) put on a production of Orpheus and Eurydice: The Power Of Love at Bridport Electric Palace. The show involved 90 young dancers aged from 5 to 19 years from our small rural English town, Bridport, and its surrounding localities. I wrote, directed and collaborated with former European composer of the year, Andrew Dickson, who has also scored for Mike Leigh (Vera Drake, Secrets and Lies, High Hopes). It became a memorable event for many as just days later, all theatres across the globe went dark. The following week Bridport Youth Dance (BYD), which I had founded in 2001, closed its doors too. This Greek tragedy inadvertently became the last live theatre many of the audience were to see for some time, as the world entered a turbulent phase.

In fact, BYD closed, over time, for sixty weeks. But on reflection, almost three years later, what happened feels more like a gift.

After the initial shock of sudden closure and the feeling of dread this created, the pandemic became a time of new possibilities. In retrospect, this hiatus has greatly enriched Bridport Youth Dance by enabling a change of direction.

Bridport is an incredibly beautiful place set in rolling hills with a vibrant arts scene. With the studio closed, the only thing to do was to step out into the spectacular natural world on our doorstep.

During the first lockdown, BYD established a remote programme; but over time what became clear was that the young dancers really needed to connect with each other in real life and real time. For some, lockdown was an introvert’s dream, but the connection to their friends and to their after-school clubs and activities was an important part of their lives. Dance acts as an important form of release and has a significant impact on their mental, physical and emotional well-being. Following each lockdown, we emerged with outdoor dance classes in a beautiful local garden with live music again led by Andrew Dickson and former LSO musician and double bass player Nic Worters. We continued to dance in gardens and on beaches; we made short dance films – The Dance Weavers series – that are about responding to the local landscape through movement and dance.

Simultaneously, we began to create site-specific work including Cloud Nine on Charmouth Beach where the dancers moved in the water and on the sand against a stunning natural backdrop of sea and sky. Throughout this time BYD created a new future vision for itself and relaunched with an outdoor programme to become known as BYD’s ART and DANCE in the LANDscape dance education programme which fuses movement, dance, nature and land. One of our most recent projects was Choreography Geography, a performance on the spectacular ancient hill site of Eggardon. It was supported by Arts Council England, (ACE) Dorset Council, Bridport Town Council and Dorset Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty and was created in partnership with the National Trust.

Eggardon is an Iron Age hill fort dating back 2,500 years: a place of extremes, one minute wild and free, the next all gentle folds. The natural landscape creates a mood and atmosphere, an air of mystery and of history. Our sitespecific performance was developed through creative tasks and improvisation with choreography interwoven, much of the movement evolving in response to the landscape with the young dancers connecting to and honouring the land.

Choreography Geography moved with the landscape. The audience walked and watched, listened and absorbed. They observed the vast cloud-filled sky and the undulating land with incredible panoramic views over the Marshwood Vale and the Jurassic coast with awe and respect. Many of the audience found the performance deeply moving and were brought to tears. The power of dance runs deep and here the audience were reminded of two powerful things: spirit and earth. No clutter, no distractions... just a reminder of the beauty of Mother Earth and of life itself. The performance was described as “awe-inspiring” and “unforgettable”. One audience member stated, “The landscape of Eggardon Hill is utterly breathtaking and the performance utilised this perfectly… The weather gods were also extremely kind, providing such a glorious evening, finishing with the most memorable sunset I think I have ever witnessed. Even the mighty highland cattle contributed!”

A review by Rachelle Green, whose three sons have been a part of BYD’s boys’ dance programme, takes us inside the event:

What a journey this show was for the audience. From the beginning we were completely consumed by the commitment of the dancers, varying in age from 10-18 years…well-rehearsed, confident and showing a depth of understanding in the nuances of the land they moved along. It isn’t easy to dance outdoors but they negotiated the spaces beautifully, illustrating their level of fitness, exercising jumps, lifts and intricate footwork on rough terrain.

The choreography took us on a journey from high views to flat spaces, choreographed pieces with hilltop dancers improvising and framing the performance… intense dark sequences, improvised butterfly puppetry, intimate, playful duets, beautifully framed by the pink sky.

A tap soloist delighted the audience with her commitment and skill then led the audience to a ridge. Here the company of dancers ended the journey with four repeated shapes, performed in slow contemplation as the sun dipped in the sky.

A peaceful, serene ending, performed with beauty and reverence, honouring the land and the space. As the dancers exited over the hills, a reminder to celebrate the earth and its history, Nikki and her team have again successfully captured the power of dance and all that is to be celebrated in this world. Even a week after the performance, it is still resonating with me.”

The Dance Weavers films were also created in response to the pandemic. The first and second films (Emerging and Freedom/Connection) were selected to represent South West England at the U Dance national dance platform, a celebration of youth dance across the UK. Freedom/ Connection was selected as a part of their screen showcase and shown at selected cinemas including a première at the British Film Institute on London’s South Bank. The third film in the series, From the Boards to the Earth, focuses on celebrating BYD’s new work in the land, but also gives a nod to its roots and to its work in the theatre.

Above all, the films are a celebration of dance and of the dancers themselves. These young people have shown enormous resilience at a challenging time and their passion, dedication and commitment to dance have been unwavering. BYD gives them happiness and confidence and has created a company where artistic young people can form friendships with like-minded others in a safe, creative and educational environment.

Bridport Youth Dance continues to inspire and encourage young people to dance, enabling them to experience its empowering nature and forge ahead as future dance lovers, makers, shifters, creators. Past members have become film-makers, theatre directors, dancers, dance academics, artists and lovers of the arts. Some have gained places at various universities to study dance and recently some have successfully gained places at Circe Media, Northern School Of Contemporary Dance, London College of Dance and London Contemporary Dance School.

This year we are celebrating 21 years of Bridport Youth Dance. And for me personally, 30 years as an arts supporter and promoter in Dorset.

Our outdoor dance education programme continues alongside work in the studio on the Symondsbury Estate; and into the future, we will continue outreach work based around the theme of connecting to nature through dance in local primary schools, with a Forest School and ASCape, a group for autistic and socially anxious teens and young adults once again supported by ACE.

The Dance Weavers films continue to evolve, with the fourth film Choreography Geography being premièred in January 2023 and with another site-specific production in September.

Our story shows how artists always find a way to create, even when the world appears to turn upside down. The work of BYD is a celebration of young people, of art, dance, land and community, and brings value to the local community. And after twenty-one years it has reached a new beginning by reconnecting to nature. BYD’s aim is to continue inspiring and empowering many more young dancers to follow their hearts, to experience the joy and the power of dance. Its outdoor work is now an integral and important part of its future vision, alongside Food for the Soul: a new initiative which is raising funds to expand the outreach work in local primary schools and is supported by The Arts Council who have offered free dance workshops based around the theme of connecting to nature through dance. Food for the Soul is also supported by The Red Brick Café.

Now as we move into 2023, both community and collaboration need to be our priorities as a town. Bridport is a beautiful place... let’s look out for each other.

A wonderful quote, attributed to Vivian Greene, comes to mind: “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

The generous support of The Arts Council has helped BYD enormously in this shift to working in the land with the talented young dancers. At the same time, BYD has forged fantastic and important partnerships with the Local Authority and with Children’s Services, Activate Performing Arts and The National Trust. Many local businesses and organisations have also come forward to help ensure that this valuable work continues in the local community. These include Leakers Bakery, Groves Nurseries, Little Fones Landscapes, Vicary and Co. Estate Agents, Bridport Rotary, Brit Valley Rotary, Bridport Lions Club and JD Cleaning. BYD is also supported by The Walbridge Trust and one anonymous angel who provides financial support for children from low income families . Receiving both national and local support has been vital for the group’s very survival and has ensured that BYD can keep inspiring local children and young people to dance and experience its many benefits.

The Dance Weavers 3 film – From the Boards to the Earth https://youtu.be/iooI0HiJKv8 www.bridportyouthdance.org.uk

This article, first published in the Winter 2023 edition of Animated, is reproduced by permission of People Dancing. All Rights Reserved. See www.communitydance.org.uk/animated for more information.’

New chapter for Karabits and BSO POOLE

A REMARKABLE 15-year partnership between Ukrainian-born chief conductor Kirill Karabits and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra will end in summer 2024—but the relationship will continue with Karabits becoming the BSO’s Conductor Laureate and artistic director of the Voices from the East programme.

Karabits is the BSO’s second longest-serving chief conductor since its founder Sir Dan Godfrey. During his years with the orchestra, there has been a wide growth in its repertoire, not only with cycles of Beethoven, Brahms and Prokofiev, but with UK premieres of works from CPE Bach to contemporary music from Azerbaijan, and championing music from eastern Europe and Ukraine through Voices from the East

Under Karabits’ adventurous leadership, the orchestra has commissioned music from composers, including Franghiz Ali-Zadeh, Anna Korsun, Mark-Anthony Turnage and Sir James MacMillan.

The Voices from the East series of symphonic revelations from the Ukraine and beyond has come to define Karabits’ most recent years with the BSO. Through performances— and a series of recordings for the Chandos record label— the orchestra’s audiences have been introduced to music from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and the Ukraine, with composers Kara Karayev, Boris Lyatoshynsky, Chary Nurymov and Avet Terterian becoming familiar names.

Looking back, this dynamic conductor, whose country has suffered such appalling hardships since the Russian invasion: says: “I have never forgotten my first encounter with the BSO. I immediately felt this was a very special group of musicians. It feels like a home from home—and never more so than during these last few years, where this community of musicians and audience has been of great support.”

• Meanwhile the BSO’s relationship with Artsreach, Dorset’s rural touring charity, continues with BSO On Your Doorstep concerts, at Portesham village hall on Friday 10th February at 7.30pm, and Marnhull village hall on Sunday 12th February at 3pm. The programme will be a Spring Serenade by a flute, harp and cello trip, with music from Bach to Joni Mitchell, plus works by Elgar, Ibert, Schubert and Bizet.

An Italian at the gallery

Tincleton

THERE is a musical and a real gallery at the heart of Giovanni Lonati’s February recital—the Italian classical pianist will be giving a programme that includes Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition at Tincleton Gallery at the The Old School House in the village near Dorchester.

The other works will be two of Schumann’s piano masterpieces, the Waldszenen and Kinderszenen.

Giovanni, whose previous dates with the venue were postponed (twice, thanks to Covid), will be in Dorset on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th, playing the same programme on both evenings, from 8pm.

He studied in Milan and Rome, graduating cum laude, also obtaining a scholarship as the best graduate of the year 2014. He was awarded the prize Premio Pianistico Regione Lazio, and a scholarship at the Mozarteum in Salzburg.

As well as giving recitals throughout Italy, he teaches at the Anton Rubinstein music school in Rome and the association Eidos Musica. He is also a composer and sings with a choir.

Panto cat’s new dance company HALSTOCK AND MARTINSTOWN

A BRILLIANT young dancer, James Bamford, who wowed audiences at Yeovil’s Octagon theatre as Tommy the Cat in the 2022 pantomime, Dick Whittington, is coming to Dorset on 10th at Halstock village hall and 11th February at Martinstown with his own company, Project Dance.

Artsreach is supporting this emerging young south west company on its debut tour of rural communities, with Fragments, a love story, performed by two talented young dancers.

Based in Somerset, James Bamford, who was previously an artist with the English National Ballet Youth Company, is artistic director of Project Dance, which aims to create ambitious and innovative professional and youth dance works for stage and screen.

Fragments tells the intimate story of a young couple who, when faced with what anyone else would describe as a nightmare, learn to fall in love with each other again, piece by piece, memory by memory. This new dance theatre work explores the vulnerability of falling in love.

James Bamford says: “We feel very grateful to present the work of Project Dance in such a close-up and personal setting. Like all our work, Fragments has been made for anyone, whether you adore dance in all its forms or have never watched a theatre performance in your life.”

One tonne of fun

Lyme Regis

THE multi-talented Lloyd Griffith, a classically trained choral singer, comedian, actor and presenter, who calls football superstar Lionel Messi a friend, comes to the Marine Theatre at Lyme Regis on Saturday 11th February.

After Lloyd’s last tour was interrupted by ‘you know what’ and ended up lasting eight years or so, he’s back with his biggest tour to date, featuring his trademark mix of stand up, dubious impressions, and a sprinkling of singing.

As a comedian and actor, he has recently been seen on television in Ted Lasso, It’s A Sin, House of Games, Not Going Out and Jonathan Ross’ Comedy Club. He fronted a highly praised BBC documentary called Can You Beat The Bookies? and has been on 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Comedy Central Live at The Comedy Store, Pointless Celebrities, Football’s Funniest Moments, The Premier League Show, Songs of Praise and many more.

As a classically trained choral singer, Lloyd can often be heard performing with the choirs of Westminster Abbey, St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle and various other London groups.

Other local dates are 17th February at Exeter Northcott Theatre and 1st March, Poole Lighthouse.

Michele did ask BRIDPORT

HOW often do you hear someone say: “If only I’d asked?” when a parent or elderly friend dies and leaves all those unanswered questions. Performer Michele O’Brien was determined not to let that happen with her mother, and the result is a powerful and moving show, I’m Glad I Asked, coming to Bridport Arts Centre on Thursday 23rd February.

This funny, tender, heart-felt, one-woman (and a puppet) show is drawn from workshops with women of all ages and Michele’s own lived experiences with her 91-year-old mother, Gena.

Michele wanted to take the opportunities with her mother, to ask the questions. In doing so she has created a deeply personal piece of storytelling theatre that explores the joys, frustrations, shared memories and the love that bind generations together.

I’m Glad I Asked is directed by Katherina Radeva; the puppet was created and built by Teresa Grimaldi and the puppet consultant was Amy Rose of Green Ginger.

Monsters, music and more HONITON

ONE of the best-loved horror comedies of all comes to the stage of the Beehive centre at Honiton during February, a month that is also packed with excellent recent films and opera and drama screenings from leading theatres.

Honiton Community Theatre has chosen The Addams Family for its new year show, at the Beehive from 14th to 18th at 7pm with a 2pm Saturday matinee. With music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, the musical is based on Charles Addams’ famous cartoon characters, depicting a ghoulish American family with an affinity for all things macabre.

The show opens with the Addamses visiting the graveyard for an annual gathering of family members (living, dead, and undecided) to celebrate what it is to