The National Youth Dance Company will present a world premiere at its Sadler’s Wells home on 10 April, choreographed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, this year’s Guest Artistic Director. NYDC will return for its third year with a new intake of 30 talented dancers who join eight returners from the previous cohorts. Cherkaoui is one of the most prolific choreographers working today: he is one of Europe’s most exciting choreographers.
Following the premiere of new commission Frame[d], NYDC will tour the UK to locations including Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds, Ipswich, Bournemouth and Plymouth. The new piece will see Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Cherkaoui revisiting moments from his established catalogue of work in order to illustrate the influence and creativity that emerging dance artists can bring to a professional dance collaboration.
Throughout the dancers’ time with NYDC they are given a unique insight into the profession, gaining skills and techniques that will stay with them throughout their careers. As a result, NYDC is fast establishing a reputation for producing high quality performances from a company of dancers who are expressive and energise the stage.
Since NYDC’s inception, 1,000 young people have worked with the company through the delivery of 47 workshops in 21 different venues. The young company has featured in 22 performances, visiting 15 different venues across the UK. 90 dancers have joined the company overall, working intensively with renowned dance artists including Guest Artistic Directors Jasmin Vardimon (2012-13), Akram Khan (2013-14) and Cherkaoui (2014-15). These dancers come from 43 different UK towns and cities.
The company has proven that its existence is vital for the health of the dance sector, in that there is a pipeline of talent feeding it from many different avenues. It is also clear that more still needs to be done to nurture young and emerging talent; what will the future hold?
Dancing barefoot for modern or contemporary dance doesn’t come without its pitfalls – ballet dancers certainly suffer but that’s not to say contemporary dancers don’t too! Many dancers opt for socks, or their costume may demand them to be worn, however to fully feel the floor beneath you – and to move in response to that – requires barefoot dance. Despite this, dancers may still encounter problems along the way.
When new musicals hit London’s West End in particular, there is often a sense of excitement and anticipation, but possibly now one of cynicism too. How long will it last? What will the audience and box office figures be like? Following such a barrage of shows opening and closing within the same year throughout 2014, it is no wonder these questions are now largely conscious in theatrical minds. Only recently was it announced that the hearty – and seemingly successful – Made in Dagenham was set to close its doors, and the reaction was rather subdued, even expectant.