Press Release: Deaf Men Dancing to perform at Sadler's Wells as part of =dance series

[Jan McNulty]

Part of Sadler’s Wells’ series
=dance
DMD+ (Deaf Men Dancing)
Hear! Hear!
Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells
Sunday 28 September 2014
Performance at 5pm
Tickets: £6 - £12
Ticket Office 0844 412 4300 or www.sadlerswells.com
Minicom Number: 020 7863 8015 

This year Sadler’s Wells launched 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 second production in =dance is from DMD+ (Deaf Men Dancing+) who present Hear! Hear! on Sunday 28 September 2014. Founded by deaf choreographer Mark Smith, DMD+ is made up of professional dancers who are deaf and incorporates a range of dance forms and sign language to create a unique choreographic practice.

Hear! Hear! explores personal and intimate ideas about being deaf, expressed through DMD+ company members personal experiences. Accessible to all, Hear! Hear! aims to captivate audiences and change people’s perception of deaf dance.

Hear! Hear! features music based on Mark Smith’s hearing test graphic chart composed by Michael England, giving the audience an insight to how Smith hears music. The songs in the show are written (and performed?) by deaf musician and songwriter, Deafboyone and reflect both Smith’s and Deafboyone’s personal experiences of being deaf and suffering with tinnitus.

For Hear! Hear! Smith works with Caroline Parker MBE, a deaf actress and sign-song artist who performed at the London 2012 Paralympics Opening Ceremony and who is one of the inspirations for Smith’s latest work. Parker is working with the dancers to develop the sign – language signs into movement and integrate it into Smith’s choreography.

Mark Smith, founder and choreographer of DMD says “I am very excited to present the world premiere of DMD’s new work Hear! Hear! at Sadler’s Wells’ =dance. I have watched many productions at the theatre in the past, which have made me become the artist I am today and inspired me to set up Deaf Men Dancing. DMD and I are extremely honoured to be part of Sadler’s Wells’ first festival of work by deaf and disabled artists and to share them with audience.

“This year is the first time that DMD and Sadler’s Wells are working together and I look forward to working with the theatre in the years to come and to inspire more deaf and disabled people to love dance!”

Jane Hackett, Co-Director of Creative Learning at Sadler’s Wells says “Some of the most interesting dance work being made today is created and performed by deaf and disabled artists. Sadler’s Wells has previously had a relationship with some of these artists, through commissioning or programming work, but this is the first time the work has been presented all together, highlighting the profile and impact that these artists have within the dance sector.

Besides the diversity of performances offered, the accompanying programme of workshops and discussions provide inspiration and knowledge to emerging performers and an opportunity for audiences and performers to interact.”

Alistair Spalding CBE, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Sadler’s Wells says “Sadler’s Wells has a history dating back to Lilian Baylis herself, of making dance as accessible as possible. Aside from the capabilities of our current building, the theatre has long challenged perceptions around who can and should dance through the extensive work of our Creative Learning programme, however this new series marks a significant development in our focus on inclusive dance. The level of quality and innovation that is currently produced by deaf and disabled artists deserves a proper platform and focus, so it is absolutely right that we are providing it, and I’m delighted to be doing so.”

DMD+’s workshop Creative Deaf Dance on Sunday 28 September 2014 from 2pm - 3.30pm teaches young deaf adults DMD+’s unique choreographic style, led by the company’s founder Mark Smith along with DMD+ dancers Joseph Fletcher and Kevin Jewell.


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 teacher

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 DMD
DMD is a group of dancers who each have different dance background; contemporary, hip-hop, lyrical jazz, ballet and commercial. The dancers work in collaboration with Mark Smith and incorporate each of their styles of dance into choreography along with sign-language. The collaboration with Mark Smith also allows the dancers to bring in their personal experience of being deaf into DMD’s work.

 

[Jan McNulty]

The Press Release has been updated:

 

Part of Sadler’s Wells’ series
=dance
DMD+ (Deaf Men Dancing)
Hear! Hear!
Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells
Sunday 28 September 2014
Performance at 5pm
Tickets: £6 - £12
Ticket Office 0844 412 4300 or www.sadlerswells.com
Minicom Number: 020 7863 8015 

This year Sadler’s Wells launched 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 second production in =dance is from DMD+ (Deaf Men Dancing+) who present Hear! Hear! on Sunday 28 September 2014. Founded by deaf choreographer Mark Smith, DMD+ is made up of professional dancers who are deaf and incorporates a range of dance forms and sign language to create a unique choreographic practice.

Hear! Hear! explores personal and intimate ideas about being deaf, expressed through DMD+ company members personal experiences. Accessible to all, Hear! Hear! aims to captivate audiences and change people’s perception of deaf dance.

Hear! Hear! features music based on Mark Smith’s hearing test graphic chart composed by Michael England, giving the audience an insight to how Smith hears music. The songs in the show are written by deaf musician and songwriter, Deafboyone and reflect both Smith’s and Deafboyone’s personal experiences of being deaf and suffering with tinnitus.

For Hear! Hear! Smith works with Caroline Parker MBE, a deaf actress and sign-song artist who performed at the London 2012 Paralympics Opening Ceremony and who is one of the inspirations for Smith’s latest work. Parker is working with the dancers to develop the sign – language signs into movement and integrate it into Smith’s choreography.

Mark Smith, founder and choreographer of DMD says “I am very excited to present the world premiere of DMD’s new work Hear! Hear! at Sadler’s Wells’ =dance. I have watched many productions at the theatre in the past, which have made me become the artist I am today and inspired me to set up Deaf Men Dancing. DMD and I are extremely honoured to be part of Sadler’s Wells’ first festival of work by deaf and disabled artists and to share them with audience.

“This year is the first time that DMD and Sadler’s Wells are working together and I look forward to working with the theatre in the years to come and to inspire more deaf and disabled people to love dance!"

Jane Hackett, Co-Director of Creative Learning at Sadler’s Wells says “Some of the most interesting dance work being made today is created and performed by deaf and disabled artists. Sadler’s Wells has previously had a relationship with some of these artists, through commissioning or programming work, but this is the first time the work has been presented all together, highlighting the profile and impact that these artists have within the dance sector.

Besides the diversity of performances offered, the accompanying programme of workshops and discussions provide inspiration and knowledge to emerging performers and an opportunity for audiences and performers to interact.”

Alistair Spalding CBE, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Sadler’s Wells says

“Sadler’s Wells has a history dating back to Lilian Baylis herself, of making dance as accessible as possible. Aside from the capabilities of our current building, the theatre has long challenged perceptions around who can and should dance through the extensive work of our Creative Learning programme, however this new series marks a significant development in our focus on inclusive dance. The level of quality and innovation that is currently produced by deaf and disabled artists deserves a proper platform and focus, so it is absolutely right that we are providing it, and I’m delighted to be doing so.”

DMD+’s workshop Creative Deaf Dance on Sunday 28 September 2014 from 2pm - 3.30pm teaches young deaf adults DMD+’s unique choreographic style, led by the company’s founder Mark Smith along with DMD+ dancers Joseph Fletcher and Kevin Jewell.

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 DMD
DMD is a group of dancers who each have different dance background; contemporary, hip-hop, lyrical jazz, ballet and commercial. The dancers work in collaboration with Mark Smith and incorporate each of their styles of dance into choreography along with sign-language. The collaboration with Mark Smith also allows the dancers to bring in their personal experience of being deaf into DMD’s work.