Press Release: Rambert's Autumn Line-up

[Jan McNulty]

RAMBERT’S AUTUMN LINE-UP:

 

 

Rambert is Britain’s national dance company. Its programme of world-class dance touring the UK this autumn includes two new creations alongside a selection of contemporary classics. Artistic Director Mark Baldwin’s new creation, The Strange Charm of Mother Nature, will premiere at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth September 24. This work continues Baldwin’s fascination with scientific discovery, following recent pieces inspired by Einstein’s physics and by Darwin’s theories of evolution. The Strange Charm of Mother Nature is inspired by a visit to the Large Hadron Collider at CERN and the recent discovery of the Higgs boson 'God Particle'.

 

The work is in three movements representing the different particles and rays that are the fundamental building blocks of our universe. The movements are accompanied by JS Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, Stravinsky’s Dumbarton Oaks and a new piece composed by Cheryl Frances-Hoad (a former Rambert Music Fellow), each musical works illustrating a continuing tradition, acknowledging the influence of the one that went before. Spectacular lighting representing the beauty and majesty of the cosmos is by Mark Henderson.

 

Shobana Jeyasingh’s Terra Incognita premieres at Sadler’s Wells in London, and is the ground-breaking choreographer’s first work for the Company. Jeyasingh’s distinctive style is influenced by the elaborate patterning of Indian classical dance and music, and Terra Incognita draws on urban legends and ancient cartography to look at the politics and power of journeying into the unknown. The new electro-acoustic score is by composer, DJ and producer Gabriel Prokofiev, whose other recent commissions include a violin concerto marking the 100th anniversary of the First World War for the 2014 BBC Proms season. The work features set and costumes by award-winning designer Jean-Marc Puissant and lighting by Lucy Carter.

 

Christopher Bruce’s homage to the swinging sixties, Rooster, is propelled by the rock ‘n’ roll swagger of the Rolling Stones. Sharp-suited, snake-hipped men and strong, sassy women perform virtuoso courtship dances set to some of the Stones’ most famous tunes, including Not Fade Away, Paint It Black, As Tears Go By, Sympathy for the Devil and Little Red Rooster. First performed by Rambert in 1994 and back on the UK stage for the first time in 13 years, Rooster is firmly established as a modern classic and an audience favourite.

 

Also featured in Rambert’s autumn tour repertoire are recent commissions and revivals of seminal pieces.  Lucinda Childs’ minimalist Four Elements, revived by the Company earlier this year, joins Barak Marshall’s darkly comic dance theatre creation The Castaways. Ashley Page’s atmospheric Subterrain, also features, alongside Merce Cunningham’s iconicSounddance and Richard Alston’s classic short solo, Dutiful Ducks.

 

RAMBERT REVEALED

Rambert Revealed is a week-long programme of events, tours and classes and runs from Monday 13 – Saturday 18 October. There will be opportunities for people to get a sneak preview of Rambert’s newest dance works, to gain insight into the choreographic process, to explore the company’s extensive archive, and much more.

Highlights include a rehearsal with full orchestra of Shobana Jeyasingh’s new work, with a specially commissioned score byGabriel Prokofiev, ahead of its world premiere in November 2014, and a session exploring the choreographic possibilities of Shakespeare texts, in partnership with the London Shakespeare Centre.

Late at Rambert showcases the critically acclaimed work of Rambert’s associate company New Movement Collective and its recent music fellow, the composer Kate Whitley. The week concludes with “A day in the life of Rambert” where budding performers aged 16-19 can learn first-hand from company members about what it takes to be a professional dancer.

The programme also includes daily dance classes for adults from beginner to professional level, and guided tours of Rambert’s building, which won a 2014 RIBA National Award as one of the best new buildings of the year. Full details of the programme and how to book are at www.rambert.org.uk/rambert_revealed

Monday 13 October 4.30pm

Insight to technique class and repertoire rehearsal
Rambert’s Rehearsal Directors work with the company’s dancers to demonstrate classical and contemporary technique exercises, followed by the dancers being coached in two works from the current repertoire: Mark Baldwin’s The Strange Charm of Mother Nature and Christopher Bruce’s Rooster.

Tuesday 14 October 5pm
Rehearsal with orchestra for Terra Incognita
An open rehearsal with Rambert dancers and orchestra for Terra Incognita, a new work by Shobana Jeyasingh with a new music score by Gabriel Prokofiev, which has its premiere at Sadler’s Wells in November 2014.

Wednesday 15 October 5pm
Choreographing Shakespeare 
In partnership with the London Shakespeare Centre at King’s College London, Rambert is exploring how Shakespeare text can be used as a starting point for creating choreography. This session will be a sharing of ideas and work developed during a joint workshop between Rambert and the London Shakespeare Centre.

Friday 16 October 6.45pm
Late at Rambert with New Movement Collective and Kate Whitley
Open rehearsal of Rambert Associate Company New Movement Collective’s  work Casting Traces, followed by a music recital by Rambert’s most recent Music Fellow Kate Whitley.

Saturday 18 October 10.30am – 5.00pm
A Day in the Life of Rambert for dancers aged 16 – 19 years
This is a day for aspiring young dancers to gain an insight in to working the working life of a dancer. The day will include the chance to observe company class, a Q&A with Rambert dancers, as well as participating in technique class and a repertoire masterclass.

TOUR

Theatre Royal, Plymouth Wed 24 – Fri 26 September 
theatreroyal.com  / 01752 267222

Rooster (Christopher Bruce)
The Strange Charm of Mother Nature (Mark Baldwin) *World premiere  
Four Elements (Lucinda Childs)

 

The Lowry, Salford Wed 1 – Fri 3 October 
thelowry.com / 0843 208 6010

Rooster (Christopher Bruce)
The Strange Charm of Mother Nature (Mark Baldwin) 
Dutiful Ducks (Richard Alston)
Sounddance (Merce Cunningham)

 

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Wed 8 – Fri 10 October
marlowetheatre.com / 01227 787 787

Rooster (Christopher Bruce)
The Strange Charm of Mother Nature (Mark Baldwin) 
Dutiful Ducks (Richard Alston)
Sounddance (Merce Cunningham)

 

Theatre Royal, Nottingham Tue 21 – Thu 23 October
trch.co.uk / 0115 989 5555

Rooster (Christopher Bruce)
The Castaways (Barak Marshall)
Dutiful Ducks (Richard Alston)
Sounddance (Merce Cunningham)

 

Theatre Royal, Bath Thu 30 October – Sat 1 November
theatreroyal.org.uk / 01225 448844

Rooster (Christopher Bruce)
The Strange Charm of Mother Nature (Mark Baldwin)
Four Elements (Lucinda Childs)

 

Theatre Royal, Norwich Thu 6 and Fri 7 November 
theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk / 01603 630000

Rooster (Christopher Bruce)
The Strange Charm of Mother Nature (Mark Baldwin)
Four Elements (Lucinda Childs)

 

Venue Cymru, Llandudno Thu 13 and Fri 14 November
venuecymru.co.uk / 01492 872000

Rooster (Christopher Bruce)
The Castaways (Barak Marshall)
Subterrain (Ashley Page)

 

Sadler’s Wells, London Tues 18 – Sat 22 November
www.sadlerswells.com / 020 7863 8198

TRYPTICH
Terra Incognita (Shobana Jeyasingh) *World premiere
The Strange Charm of Mother Nature (Mark Baldwin) 
Subterrain (Ashley Page)

 

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh Thu 27 – Sat 29 November
edtheatres.com / 0131 529 6000

Rooster (Christopher Bruce)
The Castaways (Barak Marshall)
Terra Incognita (Shobana Jeyasingh)