Press Release: Botis Seva's new BLKDOG, 2020 tour

[Jan McNulty]

UK TOUR

 

Far From The Norm
BLKDOG

 

 

Vital and gripping, BLKDOG is the Olivier Award-winning work from Botis Seva, exploring coping mechanisms in youth culture. Co-produced by Far From The Norm and Sadler’s Wells, BLKDOG tours the UK in spring 2020 with performances at Sadler’s Wells on 15 & 16 October 2020 (tickets on sale in May).

A genre-defying blend of hip hop dance and free form antics, the latest edition of BLKDOG explores the inner battlefield of an ageing artist trying to retain his youth. Performed by Seva’s powerhouse company Far From The Norm, BLKDOG searches for coping mechanisms in the ultimate hunt for acceptance.  

An excerpt of BLKDOG was originally performed at Sadler’s Wells in Autumn 2018 as part of an evening of new commissions to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the current Sadler’s Wells theatre. 

 

In August 2018, Seva collaborated with Billy Boyd Cape to create a short film, Reach, commissioned by Sadler’s Wells as part of Channel 4’s Random Acts series. Far From The Norm has previously performed at Sadler’s Wells with Breakin’ Convention and curated a Wild Card evening. Seva was Guest Artistic Director of National Youth Dance Company, run by Sadler’s Wells, in 2018 – 2019 and is currently one of four choreographers working on a new commission with Northern Contemporary Dance School’s postgraduate company, VERVE.

 

BLKDOG’s music comes from long-standing collaborator Torben Lars Sylvest who has also worked with Scottish Dance Theatre and Ivan Blackstock; costume is being created by Ryan Dawson Laight whose credits include Gary Clark Company’s WASTELAND and Aakash Odedra Company’s #JeSuis; and lighting comes from Tom Visser, also known for his creations with Nederlands Dance Theater and Sadler’s Wells Associate Artists Hofesh Shechter and Crystal Pite.

BLKDOG is coproduced by Far From The Norm and Sadler’s Wells and supported by Arts Council England.

BLKDOG tour
11 February - Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry
25 February - Nuffield Southampton City, Southampton
28 February - DanceEast, Ipswich
10 March - Northern Stage, Newcastle
19 March - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham
26 March - The Lowry, Manchester
30 April - The Point, Hampshire
4 July - Theatre Royal Norwich, Norwich
Autumn dates to be announced in 2020

Notes to Editors

 

ABOUT FAR FROM THE NORM

Established in May 2009, Far From The Norm was founded by artistic director Botis Seva and is a collective of dance artists renowned for experimenting with hip hop form whilst tackling socio-political concerns. Far From The Norm’s work portfolio crosses theatre performances, outdoor spectacles and immersive experiences that are renowned for challenging yet inspiring their audiences. The company is committed to producing evocative, authentic work by taking audiences on visceral journeys whilst presenting conceptual yet compelling truths.

 

Far From The Norm has performed nationally and internationally at theatre festivals such as SiDance (South Korea), Tanzgala (Germany), Austria’s Hip Hop Goes Theatre (Austria), VAULT Festival (London), Aerowaves Spring Forward (Denmark), Breakin’ Convention (Luxembourg & Toronto) Urban Moves (Oslo, Norway) and San Francisco’s International Hip Hop Dance Fest (USA). They have presented work in venues across the country including The Lowry in Salford, Crescent Theatre in Birmingham, Bay Theatre in Weymouth, The Riverfront in Newport, The Place in London and Nottingham Arts Theatre. Far From The Norm has also toured extensively in the outdoor festival circuit including Latitude Festival, Imagine Watford, Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, Dancing’ Oxford and Lyric Hammersmith.

www.farfromthenorm.com
 

ABOUT SADLER’S WELLS

Sadler's Wells is a world-leading creative organisation dedicated to dance in all its forms. With over three centuries of theatrical heritage and a year-round programme of performances and learning activities, it is the place where artists come together to create dance, and where people of all backgrounds come to experience it – to take part, learn, experiment and be inspired.

 

Audiences of over half a million come to its London theatres each year, with many more enjoying its touring productions at venues across the UK and around the world, and accessing its content through digital channels.

Sadler's Wells commissions, produces and presents more new dance work than any other theatre in the world, embracing the popular and the unknown. Since 2005, it has helped to bring over 160 new dance works to the stage, many of them involving its 16 Associate Artists, three Resident Companies and four Associate Companies – the most exciting talents working in dance today.

 

It also nurtures the next generation of talent through research and development, running the National Youth Dance Company and a range of programmes including Wild Card, New Wave Associates, Open Art Surgery and Summer University. Sadler's Wells' learning and engagement activities reach over 25,000 annually through programmes that take dance out into the community and invite communities into the theatre. Projects include community productions and the renowned Company of Elders, its resident over-60s performance group, while events range from pre and post-show talks with dance artists to classes, workshops and assisted performances.

 

Located in Islington, north London, the current building is the sixth to have stood on site since entrepreneur Richard Sadler first established the theatre in 1683. The venue has played an illustrious role in the history of theatre ever since, with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and English National Opera having all started at Sadler's Wells.

www.sadlerswells.com

[Douglas Allen]

Sounds like a fun-filled evening for all the family.