Phoenix Dance Theatre Celebrates 35 Years

29 Oct 2015

The Goldsmiths’ Company support Phoenix Dance Theatre’s Undivided Loves

Phoenix Dance Theatre Celebrates 35 years in a special anniversary tour in 2016 which will open at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds on 17 February 2016.

From small beginnings in inner-city Leeds, Phoenix Dance Theatre has grown to be one of the UKs leading contemporary dance companies. In celebration of their 35th year Phoenix Dance Theatre present a Triple Bill of intense, funny and beautiful dances including two brand new commissions to celebrate the diversity and collaboration for which the Company has become internationally known.

In a fitting commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, his timeless themes of desire, duplicity and unrequited love are brought to life in Kate Flatt’s brand new work Undivided Loves. Fusing sound, words and dance, Shakespeare’s most intimate, mysterious and radical sonnets are re-imagined to Brazilian percussionist Adriano Adewale’s vibrant score.

In contrast, world-famous Dutch/Israeli choreographer Itzik Galili will rework his piece, Until.With/Out.Enough, which explores the concept of the enclosed space that exists within our minds, as part of a co-commission with The Royal Ballet and Phoenix Dance Theatre.

Phoenix Dance Company was formed in 1981 by David Hamilton, Donald Edwards and Vilmore James; three young black men who had their enthusiasm for dance sparked by the tuition they received at Harehills Middle School from teachers like Nadine Senior, who went on to found Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Since 1981 the Company has grown to be a key Northern forerunner in contemporary dance and for over three and a half decades Phoenix Dance Theatre has performed, educated and inspired people across the globe.

Alongside the world première of Itzik Galili’s new version of Until.With/Out.Enough will feature Sharon Watson‘s acclaimed Melt and Bloom by New Adventures Choreographer Award-winner Caroline Finn, which explores the dark and comic moments of life through her playful, quirky and highly engaging choreographic style.

Phoenix Dance Theatre will continue its birthday celebrations throughout 2016 and following its Leeds première, the Triple Bill 2016 tour around the country including Doncaster, Darlington and York Theatre Royal.