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MARK BRUCE COMPANY
PHANTOMS - A TRIPLE BILL
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Frome-based, multi-award-winning Mark Bruce Company was founded in 1991 as a vehicle for the progressive dance theatre of Mark Bruce. The company’s performances push the boundaries of style and expectation, whilst remaining rooted in a strong choreographic language; it draws from a broad spectrum of influences and features a strong filmic aesthetic.
The company also runs a hugely popular learning and participation programme for young people and adults. This includes adult beginners’ Contemporary Dance classes as well as Silver Swans Ballet in their Frome studio and in residential care settings. Their programme for young people includes a residential Summer School for vocational students, a Junior Summer School for local children and a schools programme.
The Mark Bruce Company was made a National Portfolio Organisation by Arts Council England in 2014 and is an affiliate artist of the Merlin Theatre.
markbrucecompany.com @markbruceco markbrucecompany mark_bruce_company This February, The Merlin plays host to Mark Bruce Company as they present Phantoms - a triple bill of stunning cinematic dance theatre, written, directed and choreographed by Mark Bruce. “It’s great to be building towards performing before a live audience; to share all we’ve been creating in isolation with the real world. Nothing can replace this experience,” he told us.
Green Apples Bruce’s highly popular commanding work is choreographed to music by The White Stripes. It’s a visceral and immediate live experience as two dancers perform within the confines of a rope circle, creating a space of powerful physical intensity and magnetic energy.
The Stage
Folk Tales Characters from the myths of our past dance to the evocative music of Martin Simpson, including renditions of Beaulampkins, Soldier’s Joy and Betsy the Serving Maid, among others. It’s a collection of life-affirming pieces, at once mysterious, fiery and celebrational.
Phantoms Phantoms is a stunning dance theatre tale of love, tragedy and revenge in a land where our phantoms roam free. Mark Bruce Company presents its trademark cinematic vision: a carousel of dream-like characters in a beautifully savage world falling into chaos, culminating in a surreal, classic showdown on the road. Phantoms features the creative team that brought you Dracula, Macbeth and Return to Heaven, and an originally composed score.
Mark says, “The whole evening features very different choreographic styles. There is a lot of material in it. Green Apples is a blast. Folk Tales is quick footed, articulate and intricate. All the pieces entertain, but Phantoms is a darker reflection on things. Phantoms will be visually arresting. Every scene and every character is archetypal, and deals with different states of being, of how we allow these states to lead us - albeit drag us - and the subsequent consequences, external and internal to ourselves and others. It has the feeling of an ancient Greek tragedy, but wrapped in a retro thriller adventure on the road in a futuristic, savage Garden of Eden…
“As always, I hope the evening invigorates and inspires an audience. I hope it stirs and triggers the subconscious, allows it to breathe, perhaps even take over for a while. I hope its freedom of imagination allows the viewer to find their own internal Garden of Eden for just a while.”
all photos ©Mark Bruce
Running time: 1hr 20 minutes plus interval Age guidance: 11+
Phantoms runs from: Thursday 3rd February – Saturday 5th February followed by a UK tour The Merlin Theatre, Frome www.merlintheatre.co.uk 01373 465 949
