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SO YOU THINK YOU CAN’T DANCE? WELSH TOUR OF DAVID ROLLAND CHOREGRAPHIES’ ‘THE READERS’ PROVES ANYONE CAN MOVE WITH INNOVATIVE PARTICIPATORY PERFORMANCE |
Dance doesn’t have to mean fancy pirouettes and arabesques, or gliding across the room with complicated quick-footed routines.It can, in fact, involve gestures from every day life, such as moving your eyes from one side of a wall to the other, turning to the person next to you and staring at their right ear, or simply walking backwards. Such is the premise of an acclaimed performance touring Wales for the first time this summer that uses such movements to create an intoxicating group dance, where even those who are convinced they have two left feet become a valuable part of the show. The Readers by French company David Rolland Choregraphies is a mass-participatory performance where the audience become the performers and no one is left just observing. When they arrive, each person is given a slightly different booklet filled with minute instructions based on simple movements and gestures, the most complicated being “a subtle swaying of the hips”. As they follow the instructions in time with the music, the stage – an outdoor public space – becomes a slightly peculiar dance floor. The instructions are ordered so that any apprehension felt makes way quickly for an atmosphere of amusement and fun. With different participants at each venue, and each new venue being different to the last, no two performances of The Readers are the same, allowing those involved to create a truly unique contemporary dance work. The Readers comes to Wales as part of Big Dance Cymru, Wales’ largest ever celebration of dance. Big Dance Cymru will see dance events take place across the whole of Wales, including professional and amateur performances, workshops, and events that will encourage members of the public to get moving too. Big Dance Cymru is part of the UK-wide Big Dance 2012, which sees events taking place in all kinds of locations across the country and in all dance styles, open to anyone regardless of dancing ability. Funded by Legacy Trust UK, it will create a lasting impact from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by funding ideas and local talent to inspire creativity across the UK. Big Dance in Wales is funded by Arts Council of Wales through National Lottery funding. It is co-created in Wales by Dance Cymru and Wales Millennium Centre, who are the hub for Big Dance in Wales. Between June and September, hundreds of dance events will take place across Wales and the UK, culminating in Big Dance Week from 7th-15th July, which will see activities across the UK in all dance styles, for all ages and in all manner of venues. Saturday 14th July is Big Street Dance Day, when streets, parks and other public spaces will come alive with dance, as members of the public are encouraged to take part. Jen Angharad, who has curated the Big Dance Cymru programme, said: “It’s great to have this international dance company touring Wales. Imagine, a dance composed through the reading of a book and not only that, but a trilingual one, that everyone can perform. In fact, without people taking part, the books won’t be read and the choreography won’t be seen. If there is anyone who currently holds the belief that they can’t dance, this will be the perfect opportunity to start believing that they can. A collection of instructions, made of everyday movements that will magically unfold into a dance spectacle; performances that will change the way we view everyday gestures, seeing them as choreography.” Louise Miles-Crust, Wales Millennium Centre’s Artistic Programme Manager and co-project manager of Big Dance Cymru, said: “I am thrilled we are able to bring The Readers over from France. It’s a fantastic dance performance because you don’t have to rehearse, have a dance experience, and anyone of any age can take part. I can’t wait to see it in the range of locations across Wales we have selected; it’s going to look brilliant.” ‘The Readers’ by David Rolland Chorégraphies will be performed at the following venues: Saturday 7th July, 1pm, Ynysangharad Park (bandstand), Pontypridd Sunday 8th July 1pm, Llangollen International Eisteddfod Thursday 12th July, Time TBC, Caerphilly Castle Saturday 14th July, 1pm, Outside Wales Millennium Centre Saturday 14th July, 4pm, Outside City Hall, Cardiff City Centre Admission is free and participants do not need to book in advance– audience members are welcome to turn up on the day. Please note, however, that usual admission charges apply at Llangollen International Eisteddfod. For a complete list of Big Dance Wales 2012 events, please visit www.bigdance2012.com |
| Big Dance Cymru, Wales web site: www.bigdance2012.com |
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Wednesday, June 27, 2012 |
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