The Place's Spring programme showcases a diverse range of works by some of the most innovative dance companies, presenting both new works and critically acclaimed performances.
The season kicks off with Refresh (Sat 18 Feb), a Sadler's Wells' partnership, in which youth dance companies Far From the Norm, Cando 2, Metamotion, Strut Youth Dance Company, A&R Dance Company, Khronos, and Shuffle, The Place's junior dance company, will premiere works danced to soundtracks selected by leading choreographers.
London Contemporary Dance School (LCDS)'s third year (BA) Hons students are next on stage (Tue 21 & Wed 22 Feb), with a programme including a newly commissioned piece by choreographer Robin Dingemans.
To follow, Akademi, the leading organisation promoting South Asian dance in the UK, will present Looking for the Invisible (Sat 25 Feb), a symposium on South Asian arts, aimed at identifying, challenging and promoting cross cultural and multi-disciplinary works. Emerging star of British South Asian dance Aakash Odedra will conclude the event with Rising (Fri 24 and Sat 25 Feb), a mixed bill of three solos, choreographed by Russell Maliphant, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Akram Khan, as well as fourth one, by Aakash himself, informed by the artist's skills in Kathak and Bharatanayam technique.
German choreographer Frauke Requardt returns with her latest work Episode (Tue 28 Feb), commissioned by The Place, a darkly atmospheric piece fraught with surrealistic characters, featuring live on-stage music and an exceptional cast (Valentina Formenti, Inn Pang Ooi and Eva Recacha).
Contemporary South Asian choreographer, performer and science teacher Subathra Subramaniam continues her research into the combined fields of arts and science with Elixir, the second work for her company Sadhana Dance (Sat 3 Mar). Elixir takes water, and the ongoing issue of its scarcity, as central point, analysing the relationship with water in different cultures, and drawing from Subramaniam's own experiences as a researcher with local communities in Greenland, Canada and India.
Modern urbanity, and the concept of longing for human contact is the subject of Skin (Wed 7 Mar), the latest work by Netherlands-based choreographer Pia Meuthen, commissioned by The Place. Skin is beautifully staged within a sphere of translucent and skin-like set, creating an intimate environment for a small audience.
Scottish Dance Theatre returns, for the last time under the direction of Janet Smith, with a Mixed Bill (Fri 9 and Sat 10 Mar), encompassing Pavlova's Dogs, by Rachel Lopez de la Nieta (Dog Kennel Hill Project); My Sweet Little Fur, by Israeli choreographer Idan Cohen, and three short works created by the company's dancers Joan Cleville, Nicole Guarnino, and Natalie Trewinnard.
Bawren Tavaziva returns with a new piece, inspired by his latest trip in Malawi. Paying a tribute to the fascinating tribal dances of populations met during Bawren's travels, Sensual Africa (Tue 13 and Wed 14 Mar) is an intriguing piece, in which Tavaziva Dance injects its own reinterpretation into the complex movement and music of tribal rituals.
Luca Silvestrini's Protein (Fri 16 and Sat 17 Mar), winner of 'Best Independent Company' award in the National Dance Awards 2011, is back at The Place with LOL (lots of love), a witty and profound take on human relationships and online-offline encounters, tackling the etiquette of courting in the digital era, whilst drawing a telling commentary on our Facebook society.
London Contemporary Dance School rounds off the Spring season with new works by EDge and MA choreography courses (Thu 22 & Fri 23 Mar), followed by Collaborations, (Tue 27 to Fri 30 Mar), the annual series run jointly by LCDS with Wimbledon College of Art and Guildhall School of Music.
Shows start at 8pm unless stated otherwise
February
Sat 18 6pm & 8pm; Refresh
Tue 21 & Wed 22; LCDS BA3 Spring Projects
Fri 24 and Sat 25; Aakash Odedra, Rising
Sat 25 2pm-6pm; Akademi, Looking for the Invisible
Tue 28; Frauke Requardt, Episode
March
Sat 3; Sadhana Dance, Elixir
Wed 7 7pm & 8.30pm; Pia Meuthen, Skin
Fri 9 & Sat 10; Scottish Dance Thatre, Mixed Bill
Tue 13 & Wed 14; Tavaziva Dance, Sensual Africa
Fri 16 & Sat 17; Protein Dance, LOL (lots of love)
Thu 22 & Fri 23; EDge and MA choreography courses
Tue 27 to Fri 30; LCDS - Design/Music Collaborations
Contacts
For further press information, use of images, interviews:
Marta Bogna, Press and Media Manager; 020 7121 1025/
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