Southbank Centre has programmed a powerful international line-up for its summer performance and dance programme, with a host of UK premieres. The arts venue will welcome artists from across the Nordic region, as part of its 2017 exploration of Nordic culture, Nordic Matters.
The arts venue will welcome artists from across the Nordic region, as part of its 2017 exploration of Nordic culture, Nordic Matters. Scandinavia’s leading contemporary circus company, Cirkus Cirkör, will present the UK premiere of its boundary-breaking performance Limits, and leading Finnish dance artist and choreographer Tero Saarinen will bring together seven men of wide-ranging ages and dance backgrounds to present the UK premiere of Morphed.
Pioneering dance and performance is further celebrated across Southbank Centre’s festivals with Conditions of Carriage – The Jumping Project, part of this year’s Alchemy. It is a unique dance experience choreographed by Preethi Athreya, where 10 contemporary performers from across India negotiate the force of gravity within their bodies on the roof of Royal Festival Hall. Southbank Centre’s Alchemy returns for its eighth year celebrating the cultural connections between South Asia and the UK. Showcasing contemporary and artistic work from seven countries, the eleven day festival celebrates an evocative programme of dance and performance from emerging and established artists.
The all-female Myself UK Dance Company, and female powerhouse House of Absolute, will each train, rehearse and perform in residency in the Southbank Centre’s Clore Ballroom as part of the sixth year of Southbank Centre’s Urban festival. Founded in 2008 by creative artist Kloé Dean, Myself UK is focused on challenging the male-dominated hip-hop scene with its group of strong female dancers. House of Absolute ranges from waacking to contemporary, ballet, hip-hop, house, locking, hustle and popping, inviting everyone to join them on the ballroom floor.
Further summer dance and performance highlights include Hong Kong Dance Company with the UK premiere of its award-winning signature dance drama The Legend of Mulan, an inspiring retelling of the household folktale of courage, love, peace and virtue. English National Ballet performs the world’s greatest love story, Romeo and Juliet, on the Royal Festival Hall stage, choreographed by Rudolf Nureyev to Prokofiev’s score performed by English National Ballet Philharmonic.