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WALES’ NATIONAL DANCE COMPANY DIVERSIONS HITS HOLLAND DANCE FESTIVAL WITH PREMIERE WORK FROM STEPHEN SHROPSHIRE |
Wales’ national dance company Diversions, will travel to Den Haag this November following an invite to perform at the 2007 Holland Dance Festival, one of the key focal points on the International Dance calendar. On Thursday and Friday 8/9 November the company will perform two Dutch premieres, Practice Paradise by Stijn Celis and a new work by American choreographer Stephen Shropshire, Sugarwater. Performed originally for Diversions’ UK tour in 2005, Practice Paradise is a flagship work for the Cardiff based company and features a theatrical and flamboyant interpretation of Chopin’s Les Sylphides. Having performed the work to huge critical acclaim during Diversions summer international tour to Bytom International Dance Festival and Conference, Poland; and the 5th Athens International Dance Festival, Greece; Diversions now brings it to Holland for its first ever performance on Dutch soil. The focal point of the company’s programme will be on Sugarwater, a new work by established choreographer Stephen Shropshire, who has lived and worked in the Netherlands since joining Galili Dance there in 1999. Shropshire created Sugarwater for the company to tour with them through their Autumn UK tour, Sound Script and throughout their 25th Anniversary year in 2008. As a trained musician, music is a guiding force of Shropshire’s choreography and this work is of no exception. Handel’s Water Music Suite No 1 is used in a new composition formed from Shropshire’s reaction to the intricacies of the suite. Along with musician Anne Parlevliet, Shropshire has explored the music finding different characters within it including hesitation, rhythm, sadness and joy. The entire personality of the music, as Shropshire sees it, is presented in a refreshed, re-envisioned format. The combination of the music and dance focuses on the concept of dance becoming the music itself. The music incorporates a modern view, prompted by Shropshire’s desire to bridge the gap from the 18th Century of Handel’s time to the 21st Century of Shropshire’s. Stephen noted; ‘It is a great pleasure to work on this project with such an inspired group of artists- themselves on the verge of great and extraordinary things. Their fine technique and musicality, as well as their commitment and trust, have inspired and challenged me; helping to give the work a sensibility that is- I hope, as unique and diverse as the company itself.’ Diversions are delighted to be bringing the work of Stephen Shropshire to perform in his home country, and are delighted to be involved in such a prestigious festival. For more information on Holland Dance Festival and the programme of events arranged or to learn more about Diversions please visit www.hollanddancefestival.com or www.diversionsdance.co.uk |
| diversion dance web site: www.diversionsdance.co.uk |
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Thursday, October 18, 2007 |
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