Press Release: Alexander Whitley Dance Company returns to Ipswich with acclaimed work 8 Minutes

[Jan McNulty]

ALEXANDER WHITLEY DANCE COMPANY RETURNS TO IPSWICH WITH ITS ACCLAIMED WORK 8 MINUTES

 

Celebrated choreographer Alexander Whitley takes on the breath-taking scale of space for his company’s new work, 8 Minutes, returning to Ipswich’s Jerwood DanceHouse on Friday 10 November. 

Following his innovative digital work Pattern Recognition, seen at the venue last year, Alexander Whitley has been working in partnership with scientists from STFC RAL Space at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory to draw inspiration from the images and data of solar science research. Through this work this esteemed British choreographer has explored the spectacular forces at work in the universe, working to further illuminate our relationship with the star that gives us life.

8 Minutes will use movement, film and music to investigate a subject which continues to ignite imaginations, with a specially created score by the electroacoustic music innovator Daniel Wohl, and an installation of high definition imagery from visual artist Tal Rosner. This collaboration creates a striking, immersive environment of dance, music and film.

Alexander Whitley has created work for several of the UK's leading companies including The Royal Ballet, Rambert, BalletBoyz and Birmingham Royal Ballet, having trained at The Royal Ballet School and beginning his career at Birmingham Royal Ballet. He later moved into contemporary dance, where he enjoyed a wide range of experiences working with companies including Rambert, Michael Clark Company, Sydney Dance Company and Studio Wayne McGregor. Alexander was twice nominated for Outstanding Performance in the Critics' Circle National Dance Awards.  

Alexander started choreographing early on in his dance career, regularly making work for the companies he danced with. In 2008 his piece Solo? was taken into Rambert's repertoire and toured the UK. For his choreographic work Alexander was shortlisted for the 2012 Arts Foundation fellowship and was nominated as a Breakthrough Artist in the 2014 Sky Arts Southbank Awards. 

2014 also saw Alexander launch Alexander Whitley Dance Company. Since then Alexander has developed a strong network of collaborators across numerous art forms, working with filmmakers, designers, digital artists and composers to create innovative and wide-ranging work that seeks to broaden the scope of dance. He is also a member of New Movement Collective, a group of dancers and choreographers who seek to redefine the landscape of contemporary dance through creating site-specific and multi-disciplinary performance work.  


ENDS
 

Performance details and Box Office information
DanceEast, Jerwood DanceHouse, Foundry Lane, Ipswich, IP4 1DW
Box Office: 01473 295230 | DANCEEAST.CO.UK 
Dates: Friday 10 November | 7.30pm 
Ticket prices: £17.50, £12 concessions

 


About DanceEast
DanceEast is one of the UK’s leading dance organisations. It is based at the Jerwood DanceHouse in Ipswich, the home of dance in the East of England. 

DanceEast’s programme embraces the artistic, educational, social and recreational roles that dance plays in the local and national arts ecology. It places artists at the heart of the organisation, presenting high-quality high-profile dance work in the Jerwood DanceHouse and offering artists support, development and stimulation via programmes such as the Associate Artist Scheme, Rural Retreats, Professional Development workshops, advanced level classes and the Choreographic Development Fund. DanceEast has been running a range of innovative community projects for over thirty years, working closely with partners on local, national and international projects.

DanceEast is a registered charity, funded by Arts Council England, Suffolk County Council, Ipswich Borough Council, and donations from individuals, businesses, trusts and foundations. Thanks to Catalyst: Evolve funding, all donations DanceEast receives before 31 August 2019 will be matched by Arts Council England £1 for £1, doubling their value. There has never been a better time to donate, and contribute to the future of great dance at the Jerwood DanceHouse.