Wales Millennium Centre welcomes some of the world’s finest dance companies this season in what is set to be a diverse and distinct programme including ballet, contemporary dance and physical theatre.Wales Millennium Centre’s Programming and Communications Director, Fiona Allan, says: “Passion is a theme running through much of our upcoming season with Matthew Bourne’s steamy production of The Car Man and Australian Dance Theatre’s ode to urban street chic Held, to a range of saucy and risque performers in Vincent Dance Theatre’s Punch Drunk, the fiery Subitango, and Matilda Leyser’s dazzling aerial antics. Not forgetting the family audience we also have the English National Ballet’s debut performance at WMC with Alice in Wonderland.” Performances will take place in the main auditorium, the Donald Gordon Theatre, as well as WMC’s second and smaller theatre, the Weston Studio (full list under Notes to Editors). A diverse season awaits audiences which will feature classical, creative, colourful and imaginative dance from international dance companies which will entertain young and old. The season starts in the Donald Gordon Theatre with two performances by one of the most influential dance companies around, Australian Dance Theatre, with its latest work Held (6-7 March). Held, an electric new work by Artistic Director Garry Stewart collaborating with renowned New York dance photographer Lois Greenfield, will allow the audience to see and experience movement in startlingly unexpected ways. Next in line will be Matilda Leyser in Life, Line & Deadpoint on Wednesday 14 March in the Weston Studio, featuring a combination of dramatic and circus techniques to create a powerful contemporary performance. This aerial performance combines aerial theatre and circus techniques, accessible to a wide and diverse range of audiences. Returning to WMC for the second time and in a celebration of their tenth anniversary is Vincent Dance Theatre with their latest work, Punch Drunk (28 March). Also showing at the Weston Studio, this production features a cast of seductive showgirls and shameless men performing an exotic variety show, including risqué routines, acrobatic feats and clever turns. Slipping in and out of half remembered acts they piece together the tatters of a show long since past it’s prime. It provides an original blend of dance, mime, music and circus theatre. Brighton’s legendary contemporary vaudeville company, Voodoo Vaudeville, introduces Skin of the Moon to the Weston Studio on Friday 30 March. A stellar cast of five will sing and dance their way through a time travelling tale of forbidden love in a sensational, sexy blend of vaudeville theatre, comedy and film. The UK’s leading tango dancers Marie and Giraldo, and the Tango Siempre quartet, bring Subitango to life at the Weston Studio on 5 April. Subitango illustrates the history and development of Tango Argentina, with live music combined with breathtaking choreography. The music spans all eras and styles of Tango Argentina, from classic tangos, milongas and valses to contemporary pieces. English National Ballet brings the magic of Alice in Wonderland to the Donald Gordon Theatre stage from 17-21 April. With the imaginative choreography, fabulous designs, breathtaking illusions and a superb Tchaikovsky score, the magic and mystery of this classic children’s book are superbly translated from the page to the stage. And last but by no means least, Matthew Bourne’s mesmerising production of The Car Man (26-30 June). Loosely based on Bizet’s ever-popular opera Carmen, and using the original’s timeless musical score, The Car Man tells the story of a greasy diner in 1960’s America where the dreams and passions of a small town are shattered by the arrival of a handsome stranger. This stunning new production tells a tale of unbridled libidos, bravado and jealousy, another example of Matthew Bourne’s high octane storytelling at its choreographical best that isn’t to be missed. For further information and tickets contact WMC ticket and information office on 08700 40 2000 or see the information and secure e-booking system on www.wmc.org.uk Australian Dance Theatre’s Held 6-7 March at 8pm £5-£22 Donald Gordon Theatre Held is an award-winning Australian Dance Theatre performance that juxtaposes the worlds of high-energy modern dance and the still beauty and definition of live photography. Embodying the dynamic tension between Garry Stewarts’ brilliant, ballistic choreography with the ‘fixed’ capture of these moments by world-renowned photographer Lois Greenfield, Held creates an extraordinary live display of dance and art. Matilda Leyser Life Line & Deadpoint 14 March at 8pm £8/ £6 Weston Studio “Her performance is a revelation…performed with subtlety and clarity…immaculately conceived and timed to perfection.” The Times “‘It’s not just her exceptional air-borne techniques and dancers graceful movement skills that count here. It’s her own charisma as a performer that makes your heart squeeze.” The Herald Matilda Leyser uses a combination of dramatic and circus techniques to create powerful contemporary performance imbued with warmth, wit and personality. Her pieces are inspired by the poetic potential within aerial performance. Vincent Dance Theatre: Punch Drunk 28 March at 8pm £12 / £10 Weston Studio “A fierce, dark, yet edgily-funny production from a multi-talented, multi-national company” The Herald, Glasgow Emotionally raw and unflinchingly candid, Punch Drunk pierces the superficial façade and glamour of the burlesque show to expose the blood, sweat and tears behind the risqué routines, acrobatic feats and clever turns. Voodoo Vaudeville: Skin of the Moon 30 March at 8pm £10 / £8 Weston Studio “This is the genuine article – classy, arty entertainment” Total Theatre Forbidden love through the mists of time. A sensational, sexy blend of vaudeville, film and B-movie characters come to life before your very eyes! A twisted Victorian household projecting an outrageous kaleidoscope of luscious visuals with burlesque theatricals. Tango Siempre: Subitango 5 April at 8pm £12/ £10 Weston Studios “Tango Siempre play with a fiery spirit that goes hand in fist with virtuosity and precision.” The Guardian Subitango illustrates the history and development of Tango Argentina, combining live music with stunning choreographed dance. Subitango has been touring since February 2001 and has given many highly acclaimed sell out performances in theatres, festivals and art centres throughout the UK. Alice in Wonderland 17-21 April £5-£30 Performances from 17-21st at 7.30pm Performance on 19th at 2pm, and on 21st at 2.30pm Donald Gordon Theatre Lewis Carroll’s timeless classic Alice In Wonderland, performed by English National Ballet, is transported to the stage masterfully in this acclaimed production, with imaginative choreography, breathtaking on-stage illusions and an incredible Tchaikovsky score. Enjoy Alice’s adventures as she meets the Cheshire cat, sits at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and plays croquet with the Queen of Hearts. The Car Man 26-30 June £5-£30 Performances from 26-30 at 7.30pm Performances on 28th & 30th at 2pm “The Car Man is a superbly balanced, eye-grabbing combination of first rate choreography, effectively constructed drama and sheer entertainment” The Spectator Epic design, evocative imagery and vivid storytelling combine with a wealth of cinematic references to create a dangerous and uncompromising vision of small-town America. This stunning new production by the UK’s most popular dance/theatre company, New Adventures (who visited WMC last year with their incredible stage production of Edward Scissorhands) tells a tale of unbridled libidos, bravado and jealousy, another example of Matthew Bourne’s high octane storytelling at its choreographical best that isn’t to be missed. |
| wales millennium centre web site: www.wmc.org.uk |
| e-mail: |
Friday, February 2, 2007 |
Older news
stories have been carefully archived.
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999