Click for 2007 tour dates     Image © Gerda Peterich, courtesy Syracuse University Archive. All rights reserved. Phoenix Dance Theatre open our first season under new Artistic Director, Javier De Frutos with five contrasting and musically diverse dance works.  This tempting selection includes three world premieres, a powerful and historic dance masterpiece and the revival of a jewel from the company’s repertoire. “The dancers are on top form: finely honed, focused, controlled.” Yorkshire Post, March 2007 Click here for full review Henrique Rodovalho: Pequenas Alegrias Acclaimed Brazilian choreographer, Henrique Rodovalho makes his UK debut with a Phoenix commission. Pequenas Alegrias translates to Little Happinesses and features sharp and sinuous dance, multi-media projections and an infectious, rhythmic mix of samba and electronica. “Explosive physicality, its speed, and attacks echoing capoeira and other martial arts’ proved to be the most engaging attribute.” Dance Magazine Javier De Frutos: Los Picadores Javier De Frutos premieres a new co-commission from La Biennale di Venezia, Stravinsky’s dramatic Les Noces (The Wedding). This iconic choral work for dance has been reimagined as a violent, carnal struggle between men and women - the high octane movement sharpened by top fight director, Terry King. “Arresting, hugely powerful, there’s a savage beauty as they grapple.” Yorkshire Post, March 2007 Click here to read a Guardian interview with Javier http://arts.guardian.co.uk/theatre/dance/story/0,,2028951,00.html       Image: Chris Nash Javier De Frutos: Paseillo To mark Javier De Frutos’ first London season with Phoenix, we present the world premiere of a new Sadler’s Wells co-commission to the evocative sounds of Mozart’s Litaniae de venerabili altaris sacramento, K243. “De Frutos’ choreography is filled with such ravishingly sensual rhythms that he makes even death sexy.” The Times       Jane Dudley: Harmonica Breakdown Phoenix are privileged to have been given permission to stage a rare revival of Jane Dudley’s 1938 masterpiece, Harmonica Breakdown. This uplifting solo to Sonny Terry’s Blues, sees a female dancer pit her irrepressible positivity against the Great American Depression. Against almost impossible odds her indignation blooms, giving birth to a radiant soul. "a tour de force... images of American black life and art flow by in the solo's brief and tumultuous unfolding." New York Times       Image: Chris Nash Henri Oguike: Signal Henri Oguike’s fiery Signal, sets five performers against the pounding rhythms of Japanese Taiko drums. Originally employed to issue commands and coordinate movements on the battlefield, their rumbling power was enough to intimidate the enemy. The dancers make energetic and precise response to their authority. “drew on the stealth, control and wonderful physicality… every muscle in tune with the martial beat of the Japanese Taiko drums…” The Guardian, Feb 2004