Press Release: PREMIERE: The Little Prince adapted into Dance Theatre at DanceEast in Time for Christmas

[Jan McNulty]

 

Tuesday, 13 November 2018

PRESS RELEASE

 

The Beloved Tale of a Child Navigating the Baffling World Of Grown-Ups Adapted into Dance Theatre At DanceEast in Time for Christmas

 

Wednesday 12 December | 1:30pm - PREMIERE

Thursday 13 December | 10:30am & 1:30pm

Friday 14 December | 1:30pm & 7:30pm

Saturday 15 December | 2:30pm & 7:30pm

Sunday 16 December | 2:30pm

(Running Time: 60mins | Suitable for all, children and grown-ups aged 5+)

 

Luca Silvestrini’s Protein | THE LITTLE PRINCE, Premiere

 

 

Ending the autumn season on a high, DanceEast have co-commissioned alongside The Place, a premiere from Luca Silvestrini’s Protein, to re-create the well-known story, The Little Prince. This unique reformation of The Little Prince aims to challenge audiences of any ages to view the world through their hearts and reconnect with the child that’s in us all.

 

The story is retold by four dancers using Luca Silvestrini’s trademark style of dance, humour, words and music that is set to engage audiences on a variety of levels. Whilst The Little Prince is billed as a family show, it also has a wide appeal to those who don’t have or wish to attend with children, particularly if they remember the story from their childhood.

 

The cast of four will include Donna Lennard and Andrew Gardiner from previous Protein shows May Contain Food and Border Tales respectively. Joining them will be Faith Prendergast, who has previously performed with companies including Russell Maliphant Company and Arthur Pita, and Jack Sergison, who has recently performed with Gary Clarke and Vincent Dance Theatre.

 

Luca Silvestrini said “I am really excited to bring to life such a beautiful and important parable. The Little Prince's journey to other asteroids and planet Earth is both magical and transformative and is a relevant example of what should really matter in life. Love, friendship, and even loss, take centre stage in this story as children make discoveries and their grownups are reminded that they were once children too. I’m incredibly lucky to embark on this journey with a fabulous team of artists and we are creating a theatrical experience that will entertain and connect the entire family.”

 

Brendan Keaney, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of DanceEast says: “If you haven’t been to a DanceEast Christmas show before, don’t miss this opportunity, Luca has pulled together a great creative team and we’re in for something very special!”

 

The Little Prince will have a five-day run at DanceEast, with the Friday evening performance dedicated to Maggie McCann as a thank you for her generous legacy gift. In addition to the eight performances at the Jerwood DanceHouse, Protein will also be holding a workshop for children aged 7 – 11 years at DanceEast on Saturday 8 December.

 

ENDS

 

Performance details and Box Office information

DanceEast, Jerwood DanceHouse, Foundry Lane, Ipswich, IP4 1DW
Box Office: 01473 295230 | DANCEEAST.CO.UK
Dates: Friday 28 & Saturday 29 September | 7.30pm

Tickets: From £12, £9 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.

 

 

About Protein

One of the most distinctive voices in British dance theatre, Artistic Director Luca Silvestrini has been using a blend of original choreography, text, humour and music to entertain and provoke audiences since 1997. Protein’s shows connect theatrical experiences with the everyday and real-life stories that engage audiences and participants in both on-and-off stage productions.   

 

We believe in bringing the audience closer, inviting them to connect with what’s happening on stage, whether through subject matter, location, or the way performers directly address the audience bridging the divide between watching and participating. The success and impact of Protein’s performance and participation programme has grown nationally and internationally over the last twenty years and in 2016, Protein was again nominated (having won the accolade in 2011) for the best Independent Company at the National Dance Awards.

 

Protein has toured throughout the UK and internationally with its acclaimed productions including LOL (lots of love) (2010); Border Tales in its original version (2013) May Contain Food (2015) and May Contain Food, May Contain You (2016), especially created for rural touring. In addition to on-stage works, Luca has created outdoor shows including Windows in Progress (2014) and (In)visible Dancing (2010) which has now been commissioned thirteen times, and reached an audience of over 130,000 people.

 

In 2016 the company was commissioned by BBC World Service (with a global reach of 166 million) to restage an excerpt of Border Tales for their Identity season. Following a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2017 to sold-out audiences and to critical acclaim, Protein will continue to tour Border Tales both nationally and internationally.

 

Protein is Associate Company with People Dancing, Partner with Yorkshire Dance, ARC Stockton and Greenwich Dance. Luca Silvestrini is a Work Place Artist at The Place, London.