Re-Live Sharon Watson’s Windrush: Movement of the People

17 Jun 2019

Phoenix Dance Theatre is thrilled to announce that we will be live streaming the film of Windrush: Movement of the People on Saturday 22 June 2019 in celebration of #WindrushDay. You will be able to stream the full film at 12pm on our official Facebook page.

Windrush: Movement of the People is the first contemporary dance work to explore the narrative of the arrival SS Empire Windrush that brought the first Caribbean migrants to the UK.

“Windrush highlights both the struggles and the good times the Jamaican community experienced during those early years” – Sharon Watson, Artistic Director for Phoenix Dance Theatre. The work is a lively celebration of the rise of multicultural Britain and features an uplifting soundtrack from calypso, jazz, gospel and reggae with original music created by Christella Litras and features set and costume design by Eleanor Bull.

Windrush is a moving piece of dance theatre that celebrates the rise of multicultural Britain and black history in the UK. The production starts with emotional farewells, family separations and excitement as people board the ship in Jamaica and catch their first glimpse of the docks in London. Subtle gestures, emotional duets and uncomfortable scenes capture the exclusion, daily racism and successes the newcomers faced in their new home.

Commended by audiences and critics since its premiere at Leeds Playhouse in February 2018, Phoenix Dance Theatre’s production has toured UK venues to sell out auditoriums and festivals and was performed in Germany. The Production was captured for film in December 2018 after being commissioned by The Space and Leeds 2023. The stream is also part of Anyone // Anywhere, the British Council’s global season celebrating the 30th anniversary of the web.