Category: News

Contemporary choreographer Hofesh Shechter will be adding his own moves to Broadway’s new ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, adding contemporary dance to the Jerome Robbins musical but without losing its folklore feel. For the upcoming revival of the classic musical in New York, the Israeli-born star of the UK’s contemporary dance scene will distinguish this production from the others.

Dance is far from the signature element of the 1964 musical about a Jewish family on the eve of a pogrom. Despite this, Shechter has worked with the dancers to convey a movement aesthetic that is both gritty and grounded, ready for the previews at the Broadway Theatre from 20 November. The movement vocabulary often requires a low centre of gravity, with knees bent and bouncy, while the arms are thrown upward to convey emotions.

After establishing his own company in 2008, Shechter has since won numerous awards in Europe. He is an associate artist at Sadler’s Wells, London’s premiere venue for dance, and The Brooklyn Academy of Music has presented his work, danced by companies such as The Royal Ballet and Nederland Dans Theater.
Shechter’s own culture feeds directly into his choreography; his early study of folk dance as a child in Jerusalem rooted him in tradition, emphasising the strength of his work in question. As a result, Shechter aimed for his Fiddler on the Roof to have a sense of realness about it, creating movement that comes from his culture. The eclectic result is the blending of ethnicity with contemporary dance, filtered through the unique prism of Broadway.

In the mid-1960s, the original choreographer Robbins researched for the musical by travelling to New York’s Jewish communities to watch wedding celebrations. Shechter is continuing in this vein by specifying his dancers must not be Broadway hoofers, crossing cultural currents for the sake of the show. The movement continues to be celebratory movement, that comes as a spontaneous reaction using the dancers as real people.

Of the many pains a dancer may endure, the pain of shin splints is second to none. Shin splints is an overuse injury technically known as media tibial stress syndrome. They can range from a stress injury (swelling of the shinbone) to a stress fracture (a crack in the bone), and plague runners as well as dancers.

For some dancers, if can be difficult to identify the root of the problem as the term applies to many different pain points; some people feel pain in the muscle, others feel it in the bone, while still others feel pain at the knee. As a result, easing the pain is a challenge as there are two types of shin splints: bone and muscle-related.

The majority of shin splints stem from the shinbone, meaning the bone gets sore from impact-related activity and starts to swell. If not treated correctly, stress injuries can turn into a stress fractures, causing more pain and requiring a longer recovery period. The minority of shin splints are caused by muscle-related issues: when the muscle in the front of the leg starts to swell, the tendons around it become too tight, causing pain.

To reduce the pain, firstly it is important to rest. Foam rolling is also preferable, on your calves and around the affected areas. If the discomfort is bone-related, icing your shins and taking anti-inflammatories will help, in addition to icing and elevating your shins for at least 20 minutes, twice a day, to ease the pain and swelling.

Despite the many ways they can be caused, there are three factors at the root of shin splints. If your feet roll inward, extra unnecessary force could be loaded onto your tibia bone, causing discomfort. How much dance you do – and how often – can also affect the injury, and the lower your bone density, the greater your risk.

Preventing the injury is important: being aware of any pain in your shins (and limiting activity accordingly) is a way to prevent long-term distress, however it is also recommendable to continue to strengthen your lower legs and feet, as well as carrying out all-around strength training.

For a dancer today, it is imperative they supplement their dance training with other techniques and practises. Cross-training in this way means that their fitness is at its peak – they are not just fit for dance – and that their bodies are in the best condition possible. It is proven that alternative training methods help dancers to become better and stronger dancers, and yoga provides many of these further benefits for dancers.

As it does for everyone who practises it, yoga provides increased peace of mind and body awareness which is especially valued. For dancers this is to a greater extent than that usually achieved in terms of posture and alignment in normal dance classes. Yoga enables dancers to be mindful about their bodies, moving through positions slowly in order to identify muscles and structures. Yoga promotes correct alignment which then provides a strong foundation for the body. In dance training this increases the body’s stability and adds power to the movement’s through increased strength.

Through training, dancers tend to have a natural flexibility and strength which is then enhanced naturally through the supplement of yoga, increasing this in different ways. Many standing yoga poses develop the same muscles that are used in ballet classes, and upper body strength is increased too through positions such as downward dog. Additionally, if dancers suffer with any muscle tightness, yoga can help release those areas for a greater range of movement.

Yoga has many additional health benefits which have a wide appeal. Yoga dictates that poses and stretches are held for substantial periods of time, increasing flexibility and reducing the risk of injury due to the simultaneous build up of strength in the body. Yoga also lowers the heart rate and decreases blood pressure, working subtly in placing gentle pressure on the internal organs which has a detoxifying effect on the body. All yoga’s benefits can be applied to both everyday life and dance, whether you are looking to build strength, improve flexibility and balance, or just gain a more relaxed state of mind.

Training in the performing arts is the dream of many young hopefuls, who wish to extend their love of the disciplines far beyond that of a hobby. For many this is not possible due to factors such as the competition from others and personal financial factors. For those that do gain a place on a training course to further their passion, often the qualification they gain at the end is perfectly adequate for performing, however not for if they wish to develop their careers further in the future.

A vocational college qualification has its own weight which – along with experience – enables performers to work adequately in the industry having had lots of previous training. Despite this, many performers do not and cannot continue performing up until they retire; many may suffer injuries which prevent them from performing, others may want to retrain and embark on an alternative career. Some professionals enter the opposite world of producing, directing and casting, and therefore an enhanced qualification, such as a degree, will improve their chances of extending and developing their career.

Studying online for an enhanced qualification can be the best option for many, as it works around your existing schedule, rather than having to press ‘pause’ and take time out in order to study. Many performers who are in the midst of establishing their performing career may find this option more than viable, earning their degree while continuing to perform. For example, a Boston Ballet dancer is currently pursuing a health science degree from Northeastern University in the United States, and fits one online class at a time into her demanding schedule.

Studying online requires proactive and dedicated students in order to keep up with the work and ensure there is enough time to digest the material. Many providers offers online programmes: most classes follow a traditional semester system and there are no set log-in times for lectures as they are pre-recorded. Assignment submissions can be due weekly or monthly, and any exams are completed online within a set time period. Open universities also offer a huge array of courses which involve scheduled online web conferences, which are also self-paced.

The 2015 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special line-up has been revealed, to the delight of fans across the country. With glitter balls at the ready, six of the most loved Strictly Come Dancing winners and contestants from previous series will return for a festive edition of the most popular prime time television shows. The show will no doubt add some sparkle to BBC1 on Christmas Day.

The Strictly celebrities taking to the dance floor this Christmas will be:

Abbey Clancy, Model and TV Presenter
Winner of Strictly Come Dancing (Series 11)

Alison Hammond, TV Presenter
Contestant in Strictly Come Dancing (Series 12)

Cassidy Little, Former Royal Marine Medic
Winner of The People’s Strictly for Comic Relief 2015

Harry Judd, McFly Drummer
Winner of Strictly Come Dancing (Series 9)

Lisa Snowdon, TV and Radio Presenter
Runner up in Strictly Come Dancing (Series 6)

Tom Chambers, Actor
Winner of Strictly Come Dancing (Series 6)

Professional dancers Pasha Kovalev, Brendan Cole and Robin Windsor will partner the ladies whilst Natalie Lowe, Oti Mabuse and Joanne Clifton will partner the gentlemen.

In this year’s Christmas show, all six couples will each perform a magical routine for the studio audience. In a bid to be crowned Christmas champions 2015 and lift the famous Silver Star trophy, dances will be themed around family favourites including Alice in Wonderland, Jack Frost and Scrooge.

The Judges will score each couple for guidance only and the studio audience will decide which couple will win the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2015 – the judges’ alter egos are completed by Darcey Bussell Sprouts and her three wise men; Len Glitter Goodman, Bruno Tinsel Tonioli and Craig Revel Humbug to add some festive cheer to the proceedings. Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly will be back for the annual Christmas Special following the Final of this year’s series, and the show will culminate with a spectacular music performance from Dame Shirley Bassey.

Following a hugely insightful interview with Camilla Dallerup on the Dance Direct blog, Camilla’s next steps have propelled her further along the path of her career. It has been ten years since Camilla Dallerup first appeared on the hit television show Strictly Come Dancing, winning in 2008. More recently Camilla has made a name for herself as a motivational speaker and life coach to the stars. Even more recently, Camilla has written her first book, STRICTLY INSPIRATIONAL: How I Learnt to Dream, Act, Believe and Succeed.

In her exciting book, Camilla reveals the cut-throat, behind-the-scenes world of dance, shining light on the hard work, burnout and heartache of dance that is too often experienced. Throughout the book Camilla makes use of her training and experience as one of the original cast of professional dancers on Strictly, which changed her life. She uses her life to help others achieve goals, and consequently the book is not just autobiographical, but also a practical guide to living life to the full and making your dreams a reality.

Camilla won her way into the hearts of the UK on Strictly. Despite this, her new found fame and consequent change in career has meant Camilla can pass on the tools and techniques that she has studied to bring positive thinking to her life. The new book also reveals how the lessons she learned can help others to achieve their goals and live the happiest lives possible. The book is therefore a way for Camilla to share her most important life lessons in order to motivate and encourage others.

Danish-born Camilla moved to the UK 18 years ago, having had a long and successful career as a professional dancer before becoming a regular on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. In 2009 Camilla qualified as a hypnotherapist and for the last 11 years she has been running her own coaching and corporate motivational speaking business.

DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome launched the highly anticipated International Dance Festival Birmingham 2016 at the House of Lords on 17 November. Since 2008, IDFB has made its mark as a signature festival for Birmingham, bringing people together, widening dance horizons and providing new experiences. Produced by DanceXchange in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome, IDFB 2016 will run from 1-22 May.

Once again, international companies will grace the city’s stages, distinctive new festival productions will enliven Birmingham’s streets and there will be a wealth of opportunities for people to take part in. From intimate to large scale, established venues to outdoor places and unusual spaces, IDFB 2016 will capture imaginations of local residents and visitors alike. The award-winning biennial dance festival will boast representatives from Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Cuba, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK and USA.

The festival will also present a range of shows in traditional theatre spaces across the city, from ballet to neoclassical, contemporary to physical theatre, hip hop to flamenco and circus. There will also be free performances, helping to engage shoppers and passers-by, attracting diverse new audiences and creating a buzz on the streets. The diverse programme for 2016 will see more new commissions, and an incredible five world and six UK premieres.

Specifically, headlining performances at Birmingham Hippodrome include a mixed bill from Nederlands Dans Theater 2, Carlos Acosta’s classical farewell tour, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan and Ballet British Columbia’s debut performance as part of IDFB. The festival has become a signature event for the city, creating new opportunities for artists, dance companies and producers, and offering audiences an exciting line-up of contemporary dance.

Dance: SAMPLED, a Sadler’s Wells production, will bring the Birmingham Hippodrome to life, with a selection of different dance styles on one night. Audiences can see some of the world’s best performers in styles from hip hop to tango, ballet, contemporary and South Asian. The line-up includes Wayne McGregor|Random Dance, Birmingham Royal Ballet, BBC Young Dancer finalist Vidya Patel and world tango champions German Cornejo and Gisela Gallessi, in addition to dance activities on offer before the show in the foyer.

Somerset House and Dance Umbrella together are presenting Vertical by Le Patin Libre, the Canadian ice-dance quintet, performing at the London venue from 12–16 January 2016. Hailing from over the Atlantic, Le Patin Libre will bring a ground-breaking, contemporary ice-dance performance to the Somerset House’s ice rink.

Vertical is one of Le Patin Libre’s acclaimed pieces from its award-winning 2014 double-bill which was presented as part of Dance Umbrella last year, Just five nights only will see the group descend on Somerset House’s ice rink following the end of Skate at Somerset House with Fortnum & Mason in January.

Founded by Alexandre Hamel in 2005, Le Patin Libre is a five-strong troupe of professional, prize-winning skaters who have continued to blaze a unique trail on the ice with their innovative, high-octane style of ice-dancing. From humble beginnings creating routines on the frozen ponds and canals of their hometown of Montréal ten years ago, their witty, inspired and creative performances have since gone on to win critical acclaim around the world.

Le Patin Libre break the mould by challenging the conventions of traditional figure-skating through an experimental type of ice-rink performance art, which places emphasis on a liberated approach to ice-skating virtuosity and draws influence from theatre, urban dance, tap and circus skills. Through Vertical, the five artists of Le Patin Libre celebrate the harmony of their skating family, while pushing the boundaries of what is physically possible on the ice. They place emphasis on the unique choreographic potential of gliding, and look set to delight both dance and theatre audiences alike in a dazzling display.

The acclaimed musical theatre pair, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, will have their work seen on the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s stage for the first time next summer, when their global hit musical Jesus Christ Superstar is revived at the venue from 15 July to 27 August.

Jesus Christ Superstar in 2016 will mark 45 years since the legendary hit was first seen on stage. The bible-inspired tale is loosely based on the Gospels’ account of the last week of Jesus’ life and features the well-known hits I Don’t Know How To Love Him, Gethsemane and Superstar. The iconic rock opera joins an eclectic season that includes the professional premiere of Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild, a new production of Henry V directed by Robert Hastie and the return of 2013’s Pride And Prejudice.

The Lloyd Webber musical will be brought to life by the venue’s Artistic Director Timothy Sheader with choreography by the up-and-coming Drew McOnie. McOnie will bring his unique style to Lloyd Webber and Rice’s epic story following his work on this year’s Bugsy Malone, current hit In The Heights and a dance version of The Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde, which will be staged at The Old Vic next year.

The four-show season which Jesus Christ Superstar is part of will be completed by Deborah Bruce’s production of Pride And Prejudice, which returns to the venue from 2 to 17 September prior to a UK tour: casting for the season is still to be announced. As a result, the 2016 programme at the outdoor theatre will celebrate British writing, giving them a new voice through the outdoor theatre. Sharing the delight of theatregoing in such a unique setting is sure to delight audiences.

A unique gala evening of Spanish dance and dancers, featuring two world premieres and dancers from The Royal Ballet, will be presented by the British Spanish Society on 26 November at The Place, London.

The gala will celebrate the centenary year of the British Spanish Society, swiftly following the recent announcement of the nominations for the 2015 UK National Dance Awards, which have seen nine Spanish dancers and choreographers nominated.

Some of these talents will be appearing at the British Spanish Society gala. The Royal Ballet’s principal dancer, Laura Morera, from Madrid, has been nominated for Outstanding Female Performance in a Classical Role and she will dance with the Royal Ballet’s Ricardo Cervera, from Malaga. The pair will perform a duet from Liam Scarlett’s Viscera, which is currently being performed at the Royal Opera House.

Mallorcan choreographer, Avatâra Ayuso, has been nominated in the Emerging Artist category, in addition to Carlos Pons Guerra, a choreographer born in Gran Canaria who is director of DeNada Dance Theatre. Both artists will be presenting work at the gala. Ayuso is creating a new duet for AVA Dance Company, which will have its world premiere at this event, and Pons Guerra will bring his Young Man!, a Spanish take on Roland Petit’s Le Jeune Homme et La Mort, which is part of DeNada Dance Theatre’s Jamon y Pasion (Ham and Passion).

Former Rambert dancer, Estela Merlos (from Barcelona) will present the world premiere of Ukok, a solo that she has choreographed for herself, and the Baltic Dance Theatre will give its first UK performance of Phaedre by Izadora Weiss; the production premiered in Gdansk on 7 November. Phaedre features a cast of eighteen dancers, including six dancers who originate from Spain.

Tamara Rojo, Spanish prima ballerina and artistic director of English National Ballet, is the Gala’s Patron.