Newcastle’s Dance City’s season from September to December begins, as always, with a special season launch at 6:00 on 17 September at which Artistic Director Anthony Baker will introduce the programme and some special guests. Tickets are £2.50 (free to members) and include nibbles and drinks served in the social space from 5:30. There will an extra 10% off any performance tickets booked on the night, in addition to existing offers.
Dance Edits
26 September is the regular opportunity to see new work created in the North East from Dance City commissioned and associated artists, including, among others, short performances from Igor Tavarez, Patrick Ziza and Mathieu Geffre (formerly with National Dance Company Wales) and a film piece from emerging screen dance artist Greta Heath.
Anima – Joli Vyann
On 3 October, dance circus company Joli Vyann brings its latest show, Anima, which explores the delicate connection between two people. In a blend of dance and acrobatics, two performers push themselves to the limits of their physicality. Featuring a live musician, voice and wind instruments, their breath becomes the soundscape for the performance.
Twilight Dances – Fertile Ground
In Newcastle-based Fertile Ground’s Twilight Dances, created by Artistic Directors and former Rambert dancers Renaud Weiser and Malgorzata Dzierzon, four dancers are accompanied by a live performance of Schubert’s String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, Death and the Maiden, performed by international string quartet Quatuor Voxpopuli.
Up Up and Away – Highly Sprung
A new piece of children’s physical theatre, aimed at ages 5–11 years. Everyone says Joe is ‘different’, that he doesn’t fit in. So, when he is given the chance to float away into the sky above, he doesn’t hesitate to go. What awaits him are wonderful experiences and new friends that delight and inspire him... But more importantly, Joe finds out about himself, how his differences make him more special than he ever imagined and he learns to believe in himself and that just being yourself makes you the best you can be.
Romeo a Juliet – Ballet Wales
On 25 and 26 October, sword fighting, passionate duets and universal themes, lyrical choreography, costumes and video projections combine to create a world of danger and excitement where two young lovers are caught in an age-old feud.
DOVES – State of Grace
NE-based dance theatre company State of Grace presents its latest work. Part road movie, part 1980s noir and part fantasy, DOVES charts the rite of passage of two very different young women from the US Deep South—a journey full of desire, of change, of becoming and their need to see a completely new world for two sisters (Cora-Jay Williams and Alice Henry) as they fight for survival and an understanding of who they really are.
OSCiLLATE – Old Kent Road
On 16 November, Old Kent Road returns with its latest show, an energetic tap dance performance that explores human interaction and the effects of miscommunication in relationships, a show which fuses tap and contemporary dance.
HELM –Talent Hub
On 30 November, diving into dreamscapes and acting out fantastical ways of being, choreographer Theo Clinkard and a nine-strong cast unleash their imaginations to construct a world of alter-egos, rock stars, curious souls and fierce goddesses.
HELM is a new piece of dance work from Yorkshire Dance and TIN Arts’ Talent Hub project, a professional development programme for dance artists from the North East of England and Yorkshire with a learning disability or autism.
The Little Prince – Luca Silvestrini’s Protein Dance
This year’s Christmas show, which runs from 5 to 7 December, is Antoine de Saint-Exupery's children's book The Little Prince, as told by Luca Silvestrini’s characteristic mixture of dance, humour and spoken word.
Also new this season is the seating in the theatre, which is being installed over the summer thanks to a very successful crowdfunder campaign and generous support from the Community Foundation.