18 February 2015
Etching from Edward Scissorhands rehearsal drawings
I was privileged to have been at 3 Mills Studios to draw during rehearsals of New Adventures, Edward Scissorhands this 2 plate sugar-lift etching is based on one of the drawings of Edward (minus the scissors)
Between One Breath and the Next
Edward Scissorhands is now touring
13 February 2015
To Fetch a Pail of Water? Depouillement (2009). Second Coming
Kit Holder choreographed the first dance of the evening, To Fetch a Pail of Water? Based on the nursery rhyme, Jack and Jill, Holder has given it an alternative story line, presenting his own version of why they went uphill and it was far from innocent.
Depouillement choreographed by Will Tuckett followed, music composed by Ravel, Sonata for violin & cello: Allegro, Tres vif, Lent and Depouillement.
I was glad I was told in the interval to read the programme blurb about the final dance of the evening, Second Coming choreographed by Mark Bruce. Without it I would have felt quite lost.
A great evening of strong choreography and beautiful dance. The drawings were made during the performance in the dark.
27 January 2015
Richard Alston Dance Company. 20th Anniversary Performances
Sadlers Wells 26th – 27th January the Richard Alston Dance Company staged a magnificent 20th Anniversary performance. Rejoice in the Lamb, choreographed by Artistic Director Richard Alston opened the evening, with music: Rejoice in the Lamb, Benjamin Britain, 1943, a full choir the Montclair State University Vocal Accord sang on stage to accompany. Burning choreographed by associate choreographer Martin Lawrence followed, with music by Franz Liszt (1849). World premier for Nomadic choreographed by Richard Alston and Ajani Johnson-Goffe with fabulous music by Shukar Collective. Martin Lawrence choreographed the final dance Madcap, 2012.
Above: Burning
Above and below: Nomadic
Above: Madcap
16 January 2015
Young Men. BalletBoyz, at Sadler’s Wells
Choreographer Ivan Perez creates a dance to commemorate the First World War with commissioned orchestral music by Keaton Henson played live and visible through the back curtain. A cast of 11 men and 2 women, the choreography is fast and sometimes frantic, rarely slowing. (Only criticism? Gloomy lighting, making drawing a struggle.)
January 14 2015
Who Killed Bambi? Renaud Wiser Dance Company
First day drawing Renaud Wiser Dance Company, Who Killed Bambi? at Greenwich Dance. London premiere will be at Greenwich Dance March 6th, don’t miss this show, it will be a fabulous evening
6th December 2014
Just Us Dance Theatre
New Beginnings Chapter II
Just Us Dance Theatre fuses hip-hop and contemporary dance, created by Joseph Toonga with Ricardo Da Silva and Rudeen in 2007. An inspiring evening of 10 short dance works, each with a different choreographer at Greenwich Dance.
7 November 2014
New Adventure‘s production of Edward Scissorhands choreographed by Matthew Bourne opens 10 November at Theatre Royal, Plymouth running until 15 November, then touring and coming to Sadler’s Wells, London 2 December 2014 – 11 January 2015 with orchestra led by violinist Gina McCormack
31 October 2014
La Veronal, Siena. @Southbank Centre
Last night I was at the Southbank Centre to see Siena, the Barcelona choreographer Marcos Morau’s company La Veronal. A fascinating dance exploring memories, strength and fragility of the human body.
There is a section in the dance which is in slow motion reminding me of the fantastic and atmospheric video work of Bill Viola. This is dynamic choreography, not an easy watch, but it is rewarding, posing many questions for the viewer too consider.
30 October 2014
Edward Scissorhands Rehearsal
Yesterday I spent a wonderful day drawing the cast of New Adventures, rehearsing Edward Scissorhands at Three Mills Studios. The day began with the company class, I was delighted to see my friend and talented musician Ronan Kozokaro was the accompanist for the class, we have collaborated on several projects in the past.
On Monday I will start working on new zinc etching plates in response to the drawings I have done of the day.
31 October 2014
Alexandra Palace for the evening to watch Canadian company Le Patin Libre (Free Skate), extreme ice dancing, felt fast, dangerous and beautiful. Part of Dance Umbrella UK
Loved the rasp of skates and traces left behind as swirls on ice.