As we “March” towards Spring anticipation is building for our new production with Opera North – Requiem – which follows the success of two previous collaborations between the Leeds-based companies, The Rite of Spring (2019) and West Side Story Symphonic Dances (2021). In contrast to our previous collaborations, this production unites dancers and chorus on stage throughout, in what promises to be an unforgettable performance.  

We are excited to announce that this international collaboration sees Opera North and Phoenix Dance Theatre join forces with South African partners Jazzart Dance Theatre and Cape Town Opera to present a powerful, staged re-imagining of Mozart’s iconic Requiem, taking place as part of LEEDS 2023 Year of Culture. 

Subtitled Journeys of the Soul, this new double-bill is choreographed by Phoenix Guest Choreographer and former Artistic Director, Dane Hurst, who last year returned to his home country of South Africa to take up the position of Artistic Director of Jazzart Dance Theatre.  

Requiem takes Mozart’s music as an act of remembrance, honouring those we have lost – and examining what life means for those left behind in a reflective and hopeful expression of the beauty, brutality and brevity of life. The second half of the double bill, After Tears: After a Requiem, is a new composition by Neo Muyanga, invoking South African cultural traditions on the themes of collective loss, the rituals of mourning and remembrance, and celebration of life. It will offer a vibrant contemporary counterpoint to the classical elegance of Mozart’s choral lament. 

Dane has been working with Phoenix Company Dancers since January exploring these themes during the creative process of choreographing Requiem. We are delighted to share the first look of Requiem with these images captured during rehearsal in our studio. 

We caught up with Dane to find out more about the process and what it has been like back working with Phoenix on this new production:  

“It’s been such a great experience working with these Phoenix dancers over the past seven weeks. Each one of them brings a unique set of qualities, skills and experience to the studio and creative process. Their physicality, spirit and humanity have allowed for a wonderful and enriching period of creation. The making of Requiem has been such a fluid, relaxed and creative experience and that is down to everybody working as a team and towards the shared goal of creating a beautiful work of art. 

It has also been so great to have my South African brother, Mbulelo Ndabeni, working alongside me as part of the creative team in the role of Rehearsal Director. We’ve come through the ranks together, through different trials and challenges and we understand the significance of this special collaboration between artists from UK and South Africa considering our shared history. We understand, complement and support each other and are appreciative of our present partnership that has allowed us to work on this cross-cultural production. We share a great mutual respect for each other and this has helped us to cultivate a nurturing and supportive environment that has allowed the work to almost create itself.  

We are now halfway through the creative process and will soon be linking up with the Jazzart Dance Theatre dancers in South Africa to create After Tears. I look forward to sharing the efforts of our creation with everyone.” 

Read our Requiem – The Journey blog series and discover more behind-the-scenes content, interviews and insights into the production here.

Photos Point of View Photography

(1) Company Dancers with Teige Bisnought elevated; (2) Dane Hurst in rehearsal with Hannah McGlashon; (3) Company Dancers; (4) Dorna Ashory; (5) Dane Hurst directing Requiem in rehearsal; (6) Carina Howard (elevated) and Hannah McGlashon; (7) Mbulelo Ndabeni (Rehearsal Director); (8) Yasmina Patel (foreground) and Company Dancers.