|
DIVERSIONS is inviting artists and audiences alike to join them at their Cardiff home to be part of the next wave of dance in Wales. |
Wales’ national dance company is working with some of its core venues and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama on Alternative Routes: bringing some of the brightest and best choreographers and dancers together on a programme of new works.But, as Diversions’ Artistic Director Ann Sholem explained, a key part of that creative process is for audiences to come to the shows at the company’s home, Diversions Dance House at WMC, and the performances around Wales. Opening on May 29 for three nights the Alternative Routes triple bill comprises works by Eleesha Drennan from Canada, Australian Lee Johnston and Critics’ Circle award-winner Joanne Fong. Joanne is working with BBC Young Musician of the Year 2000 strings finalist, renowned violinist Rakhi Singh on a special Taliesin Arts Centre commission. Rakhi, who hails from Llandybie, Carmarthenshire, has just won the Prince of Wales Award 2008 and other awards include the Bryn Terfel Bursary and Texaco Young Musician of Wales. Chatting between rehearsals at the Diversions Dance House the 26 year old violinist said it is all very different from her last collaboration –working with Take That! on their latest big arena tour as part of a strings quartet accompanying the lads on stage. “I have been keen to work with dance for a while now and contacted Diversions which has led to me working on this music and dance collaboration. “I sent the choreographer Joanne Fong some Bach I had put on a CD and she chose my favourite track so that was a good sign. The dance is now almost complete and it feels very strong.” Working with designers from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Ann said Diversions’ dancers display endless imagination and creativity in three unique collaborations. She added, “Alternative Routes is separate from our main touring performances and is all about fresh, new talents. Audiences can not only enjoy wonderful new works but also know they are part of the process of fostering creativity and growth in dance. “The three productions are coming on fantastically; each piece is very different and have real integrity and quality and the partnerships are workings very well. “Alternative Routes is about development of the art, taking risks and creating new works and bringing on new talent – while also making sure audiences enjoy the shows. The project is vital if we want to develop our new choreographers on the international stage.” After the Dance House the programme tours to Aberystwyth, Brecon and Swansea. Aberystwyth audiences are also tonight treated to the Wales premier of Scope from the award-winning Portuguese company Rui Horta Stage Works. The show comes to the Dance House, WMC for four performances on May 23 and 24. Rui Horta, one of Europe's best known choreographers, has a new space-specific creation; the audience discovers a surprising performance space and plays its own part in choosing between reason and emotion, surprise and deceit. A multi-media production, this piece plays with space and projection creating a unique audience experience. Rui said, “I think the main characteristic of my show is that it is a very integrated performance between new media and two outstanding performers. It is theatrically very strong and the key idea is to show how we look at things: perception. “The theme is loss: we are looking at two people from different points of view, psychologically and their environment – so the whole idea is how we challenge perception.” Ann added, “Rui Horta is a very well established choreographer who Diversions has been enthusiastic about working with for many years and this is a unique opportunity to bring the work to new audiences both today at Aberystwyth and next week at the Dance House in Wales Millennium Centre.” Rui last brought a dance to Wales last year when Aberystwyth Arts Centre presented Set Up last March. PANEL: Venues: Scope Rui Horta Stage Works Aberystwyth Arts Centre May 17. 6.30pm, 9pm. £8, £7 www.aber.ac.uk/artscentre 01970 623232 Diversions Dance House May 23, 24. 6pm, 9pm £12, £10 www.wmc.org.uk 08700 40 2000 Alternative Routes Diversions Diversions Dance House May 29-31. 8pm £10/£8. www.wmc.org www.diversionsdance.co.uk 08700 40 2000 Aberywtyth Arts Centre June 12. 7.30pm £8, £7 www.aber.ac.uk/artscentre 01970 62 32 32 Brecon Theatr Brycheiniog £10, £9 June 17. 7.45 pm www.theatrbryncheiniog.co.uk 01874 61 16 22 Swansea Taliesen Arts Centre June 19. 7.30pm £9.50, £7.50 www.taliesinartscentre.co.uk 01792 60 20 60 |
| Diversions Dance web site: www.diversionsdance.co.uk |
| e-mail: |
Monday, May 19, 2008 |
Older news
stories have been carefully archived.
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999