Press Release: Northern Ballet and Dickson Mbi premiere new dance film Inbox

[Jan McNulty]

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27 May 2022 For immediate release   Northern Ballet and Dickson Mbi premiere new dance film  Ma Vie     watch the film   Northern Ballet has released the world première of Ma Vie, an original dance film choreographed by renowned hip-hop choreographer Dickson Mbi.    Featuring six Northern Ballet dancers alongside guest artist Max Revell, winner of BBC Young Dancer 2019, the film follows Northern Ballet’s critically acclaimed national tour of Kenneth Tindall’s Casanovaand is inspired by the same historical figure, the infamous Giacomo Casanova.     The Company chose to work with Dickson Mbi to produce an original contemporary piece that reimagines the legendary lothario’s story.     Dickson Mbi said:    ‘My goal with Ma Vie was to revisit Casanova’s story and better understand who he was as a person. His story is often reduced to that of a ‘womanizer’ but he had an incredible life, full of suffering, conflicts and resilience, which is what I was interested in exploring in this work.   The process of collaborating with a team of freelance artists and Northern Ballet was incredibly rewarding. Directing, creating the concept and choreographing for film is different from stage and presented some challenges but we all worked together to create something I’m really proud of and excited to share.’    Northern Ballet’s Artistic Director Federico Bonelli said:    'I am thrilled to see our work with Dickson Mbi produce such a powerful reinterpretation of the legend of Casanova.   Welcoming a diversity of styles and perspectives into our Company is hugely important and Dickson's creative style, developed in the hip-hop dance community, has pushed the boundaries of ballet and brought new life to this fascinating story.   I am pleased that Dickson will go on to adapt this work for the stage ahead of our mixed programmes in Leeds and London later this year.'    The film is available to watch now on Northern Ballet’s digital dance platform digitaldance.org.    Work will begin next week on a stage adaptation to be performed as part of Northern Ballet’s mixed programme Three Short Ballets, opening at Leeds Playhouse this September before its London première at the Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House in November.    -ENDS-        Notes to Editors    Northern Ballet’s Three Short Ballets tour dates  10 - 17 Sep 2022 – Leeds Playhouse  1 - 3 Nov 2022 – Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House  Tickets on sale soon at northernballet.com/three-short-ballets-2022    Northern Ballet  Northern Ballet is one of the UK’s leading ballet companies and the widest touring ballet company in the UK. Bold and innovative in its approach, Northern Ballet is prolific at creating new full-length work with a unique blend of strong classical technique and impressive storytelling. Northern Ballet’s repertoire embraces popular culture and takes inspiration from literature, legend, opera and the classics, pushing the boundaries of what stories can be told through dance.    A champion for the cultural exports of the North, Leeds-based Northern Ballet is dedicated to bringing ballet to as many people and places as possible, under the leadership of Artistic Director Federico Bonelli. Northern Ballet’s Company of dancers performs a combination of its full-length ballets and specially created ballets for children at more than 40 venues annually.    Launched in 2019, Northern Ballet’s digital dance platform ensures more people can access their work, from full-length films of popular ballets through to exciting short dance films by up-and-coming choreographers and filmmakers. Visit digitaldance.org to discover more.    For more details of Northern Ballet's tour, on sale dates and booking information, please visit northernballet.com/whatson      Dickson Mbi Company  Dickson Mbi was born in Cameroon and grew up in London where he studied at Lewisham College and London Contemporary Dance School. He is a world-renowned dancer in the hip-hop dance community and best known for his popping skills which is integral to the work that he creates today.    Dickson has featured in multiple TV campaigns including BALMAIN X H&M (2016), AUDI E TRON (2014), and was the face for LUCOZADE REVIVE (2012). Over the course of his career, he has worked with award-winning artists such as Russell Maliphant, Boy Blue Entertainment, Robbie Williams, Corrine Bailey-Rae, Black Eyed Peas and choreographed the 'Leave A Trace' music video for CHVRCHES.     He is an award-winning choreographer and has been commissioned by several theatres, festivals and arts organisation. In 2018, Sadler's Wells Theatre commissioned a documentary ‘Street to Stage’ about Dickson's artistic journey for BBC4’s Danceworks series. Later that year, Sadler's Wells commissioned him to create work for their elderly company - The Company of Elders. In the following year, Dickson was commissioned by BBC Young Dancer to create the winning choreography UNSTRUNG performed by Max Revell.       As a leader in his community, Dickson focuses on fostering the future generations of dancers with his partner Brooke Milliner in their battle crews Prototype and FIYA HOUSE. As a choreographer, Dickson enjoys making works for other companies as well as presenting his own works under Dickson Mbi Company.    Film credits    Concept, Direction, Choreography  Dickson Mbi  Assisted by  Kenny Ho    Film Director  Novemba Films    Music  Roger Goula    Cinematographer  Thom Neal  Assisted by  Chanelle Victor    Animation and Projection Design  Yeast Culture & Tim Grabham    Editor  Harvey Eaton    Object consultant  Ester Natzijl    Producer  Farooq Chaudhry    Associate Producer  Geni Lou    Dancers  Kevin Poeung, Minju Kang, Sarah Chun, Aerys Merrill, Riku Ito, Sean Bates & Max Revell.    Makeup, Wigs & Hair Design  Harriet Rogers  Assisted by  Florencia Melone    Costume Supervisor  Carley Marsh    Lighting  Al West, Abbi Fearnley, Sam Day & Chris Alexander.    Stage Manager  Sandrine Enryd Carlsson    Stage Team  Martin Smith, Daniel Alexander, Pete Clark, Jonty Ritter, Oliver Tonks, Jordan Wright & Yemi George.    Set built by   Pradeep Dash & Northern Ballet Stage Department    Film Supporter  Genesis Foundation