Press Release: Stopgap Dance Company present Artificial Things as part of =dance

[Jan McNulty]

Part of Sadler’s Wells’ series
=dance
Stopgap Dance Company
Artificial Things 
Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells
Tuesday 13 & Wednesday 14 May 2014
Performances at 7.45pm
Tickets: £6 - £12
Ticket Office 0844 412 4300 or www.sadlerswells.com
Minicom Number: 020 7863 8015 

 

“Stopgap Dance Company is a deeply felt affirmation of dance” Sunday Express

 

Next month, Sadler’s Wells presents the start of =dance, a new series featuring some of the most exciting and innovative work created and performed by deaf and disabled artists. Presenting work by both established and emerging inclusive dance companies, =dance also includes a programme of workshops, discussions and professional development opportunities alongside each performance. The series runs from May 2014 - March 2015 in the biggest presentation of inclusive dance ever programmed by the theatre.

 

The first company to present work in =dance is Stopgap Dance Company. Made up of disabled and non-disabled dancers, Stopgap performs the London premiere of its latest work Artificial Things, following a critically acclaimed UK and European tour, on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 May 2014.

Artificial Things looks at five individuals who are slowly suffocating in each other’s company. They seek escape through riotous rock-n-roll, but their wild disorder descends into playground politics to reveal some uncomfortable truths. This bold and evocative production comes in three contrasting sections, with each piece examining our attempts to live with one another.

Artificial Things is the debut production by Stopgap’s new Artistic Director Lucy Bennett, whose reputation is growing as a leading expert in integrated choreography. Since her appointment in 2012, Stopgap ceased being a repertoire company and began devising original productions as an ensemble. Artificial Things has a cast including dancer David Toole, whose prominent solo in the London 2012 Paralympics Opening Ceremony marked a historic moment for dance and disability. The cast also includes dancers Chris Pavia, Laura Jones, Amy Butler and David Willdridge. Under Bennett’s direction, they have devised a poignant production that connects with the widest possible audience, shifting perceptions about integrated dance.

 

Stopgap Dance Company runs its Responsive dance practice and integrated choreography workshop on Wednesday 14 May 2014 from 11am - 5.45pm. This day long intensive workshop aimed at professional dancers and teachers offers a chance to experience, reflect and discuss creative dance for mixed ability groups.

 

Lucy Bennett, Artistic Director of Stopgap Dance Company says “We are thrilled to be presenting Artificial Things as part of =dance. The production has some of the best disabled and non-disabled dance artists who have a deep understanding of working together. We have combined experience of over 60 years in integrated dance, and our devising process has raised many new questions about dance and inclusion both artistically and technically. We spent much of the last two years consolidating our practice from a repertoire company into one that makes original productions. Artificial Things is the end result of our efforts so far.”

 

Notes to Editors:

=dance listings information:
Stopgap Dance Company
Artificial Things
Tuesday 13 & Wednesday 14 May 2014
Performances at 7.45pm
Tickets: £12 (£6 conc)
Workshop on Wednesday 14 May from 11am - 5.45pm; Tickets: £20; suitable for professional dancers and teachers

 

DMD+
Hear! Hear!
Sunday 28 September 2014
Performance at 5pm
Tickets: £12 (£6 conc)
BSL interpreted post show talk
Workshop on Sunday 28 September from 2pm - 3.30pm; Tickets £4; suitable for young deaf people aged 12 - 25

 

Candoco Dance Company
Curious Encounters
Sunday 16 November 2014
Performance at 3pm
Tickets: £6
Workshop on Sunday 16 November from 4.30pm – 6pm; Tickets £10 (including ticket for the performance); suitable for disabled and non-disabled dancers aged 13+
BSL Interpreted

 

Candoco Dance Company
Close Encounters
Monday 17 November 2014
Performance at 7pm
Tickets: £12 (£6 conc)
Free pre-show dress rehearsal and discussion for ticket holders
BSL Interpreted

 

=dance Statement Pieces
Thursday 11 December 2014
Performance at 7.45pm
Tickets: £12 (£6 conc)
Free BSL interpreted post-show discussion for ticket holders

 

Magpie Dance
Flying High
Friday 16 January 2015
Performance at 7.15pm
Tickets: £12 (£6 conc)
Workshop on Friday 16 January from 3.45pm - 5.45pm; tickets £4 suitable for aspiring dancers with learning disabilities aged 18 - 30

 

Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells
Ticket Office 0844 412 4300 or www.sadlerswells.com
Minicom number: 020 7863 8015 

 

The inaugural =dance series continues with further productions, workshops, debates and discussions until March 2015, with further details to be announced shortly.

 

About Sadler’s Wells Access Scheme
Sadler’s Wells runs an Access for All Register for people with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities. Patrons can apply to the scheme, which enables them to use our new online disabled booking service and free access to the theatre car park.  They may also be entitled to concessionary tickets if they are in receipt of disability-related state benefits. The scheme entitles a reduction in the cost of their ticket and a companions ticket, limited to one per production and a reduced booking fee.

For more information on the Access Scheme and to apply please visit the Sadler’s Wells website: http://www.sadlerswells.com/page/access-scheme

 

About Sadler’s Wells
Sadler's Wells is a world leader in contemporary dance, committed to producing, commissioning and presenting new works and to bringing the very best international and UK dance to London audiences. Under the Artistic Directorship of Alistair Spalding the theatre’s acclaimed year-round programme spans dance of every kind, from contemporary to flamenco, bollywood to ballet, salsa to street dance and tango to tap. Since 2005 it has helped to bring over 80 new dance works to the stage and its international award-winning commissions and collaborative productions regularly tour the world, including Sutra, zero degrees, and PUSH.

 

Sadler’s Wells also provides a home to 16 world class Associate Artists and 3 Resident Companies including Sylvie Guillem, Akram Khan, Hofesh Shechter, Crystal Pite, Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and ZooNation. The theatre also supports and nurtures the next generation of talent through its National Youth Dance Company, Summer University programme, Wild Card initiative and its New Wave Associates.

 

Located in Islington in north London, the current theatre is the sixth to have stood on the site since it was first built by Richard Sadler 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 all having started at Sadler’s Wells.

 

About Stopgap Dance Company
Stopgap Dance Company creates exhilarating dance productions of international standard. It employs disabled and non-disabled artists who find innovative ways to collaborate. Stopgap values a pioneering spirit and is committed to making discoveries about integrating disabled and non-disabled people through dance.

 

“Difference is our means and our method”

 

As a charitable organisation Stopgap openly shares skills and knowledge through performance, professional training, community outreach and publications. It creates works for the widest possible audience to shift perceptions about difference and inspire everyone to achieve their potential.

Stopgap is a British company and works in partnership with Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation. It is a resident company of Farnham Maltings, The University of Surrey and an associate artist of Zinc Arts.

 

About Lucy Bennett
Lucy graduated from Doreen Bird College with a first class degree in Dance and Theatre Performance. Immersed in Stopgap’s work for ten years as a dancer and choreographer, Lucy closely observed the dynamic interaction of distinctly different dancers. Choreographing with these dancers has shaped Lucy’s artistic practice, which is to encapsulate and express remarkable human stories through dance. As the resident choreographer and since 2012, the Artistic Director of the company, Lucy takes leadership over creative processes and is developing Stopgap into a company that can conceive original ideas. In recent years she has choreographed: Chris et Lucy (2007); Tracking commissioned by Without Walls consortium, Shape Arts and Liberty Festival (2009); Extra Ordinary, Guest Choreographer for David Toole and Lucy Hind (2010); and SPUN Productions, commissioned for the Cultural Olympiad (2012).