For Immediate Release: 30 July 2012
Candoco takes the capital by storm with performances at 3 London venues; special appearances at Wellcome Collection and workshops at the National Theatre and Southbank Centre
Candoco Dance Company is staying close to home this Autumn with performances at London venues Southbank Centre, Laban Theatre and artsdepot. Additionally, the company will present a ‘Living Archive’ at the Wellcome Collection, 10–12 October.
Candoco was commissioned by Unlimited, part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad to create two new works from disabled choreographers, Claire Cunningham and Marc Brew. For the commissions, Candoco takes on 5 guest artists – dancers from China, UK and Brazil – to represent the past, present and future Olympic nations. In the semi-autobiographical 12, choreographer Claire Cunningham uses crutches in both a practical and metaphorical sense to create a riotous piece full of childlike beauty and surreal humour. Marc Brew’s stylish Parallel Lines is driven by an emotive string score by Michael Galasso, creating dramatic tension between the performers in their exploration of physical limitations. These Unlimited Commissions will be performed as part of the Southbank Centre’s Unlimited: The Revelation Starts Here Festival on Thu 6 September at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Performances at Southbank Centre will be complemented by a youth dance workshop on Thu 30 August and a Masterclass on Wed 5 September. Additionally, the company will offer two inclusive workshops aimed at young people 13 to 18 years on Sat 1 September at 11am and 3pm at the National Theatre. The workshops, which are part of the NT Inside Out Festival, will take place on the Riverside Terrace and will combine dance technique and creative choreography. Free and fully accessible, these programmes are for all levels of experience.
From Wed 10 to Fri 12 October, Candoco will present a ‘Living Archive’ as part of the Wellcome Collection’s Superhuman exhibition. The exhibition takes a broad and playful look at our obsession with being the best we can be. Visitors will have the opportunity to see Candoco’s extraordinary dancers up close and in movement, as living specimens of peak physical condition.
Candoco return to Laban Theatre on Wed 17 & Thu 18 October for two performances of Three Acts of Play, a triple bill featuring the London theatre premiere of Javier de Frutos’ new duet Studies for C. Inspired by the poetry of Tennessee Williams and set to traditional Mexican Ranchera music, the duet is a celebration of difference and rebellion. These performances also mark the launch of Candoco’s partnership with Trinity Laban to develop a programme that creates accessible training pathways for dancers.
On Thu 25 October, the company present Turning 20 at artsdepot in North London. This anniversary programme travels to the past, present and future with three bold commissions that salute the breadth of the company’s repertory.
Finally, from 27 to 29 October, Candoco will present its annual Teacher Training Intensive at its rehearsal studio in Stanmore, North London. Over three days, dance artists from Candoco will introduce teachers and practitioners to the principles of the company’s inclusive work.
