Trevor Nunn, an eminent figure of theatre, is set to direct ArtsEd students in their amateur production of William Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona, a huge coup for both the students and Arts Educational. Nunn is an internationally acclaimed director and ArtsEd Patron; ArtsEd is the first UK drama school to work with Nunn on his first production of Two Gentlemen of Verona.
The lucky students in question are final year BA Acting students who are on the cusp of completing their training at ArtsEd and are about to join the performing arts industry. It is undoubtable the students will benefit enormously from the opportunity to work with such an experienced, versatile and highly regarded director, who equally must have a huge amount of faith and trust in these talented final year students. Whilst theatrical names from the industry often are commissioned to work with vocational students, the privilege of having Nunn onboard the ArtsEd production is a huge one.
Nunn has made it no secret that he enjoys working with students: as a Patron of ArtsEd and an enthusiastic follower of the work produced by the school, it is thought to be a pleasure for him to also offer practical rather than just institutional support. The training students receive at ArtsEd is second to none, preparing them to work on stage, screen and film, however it is ultimately a dream come true to have the chance to work with one and learn from of the true greats – a director of this calibre – before they have graduated.
Tickets for the show are on sale now. Performances will run in repertory with Spring Awakening from 30 April-12 May 2015.
Dante Puleio is a Jersey boy. He began dancing shortly after learning how to walk, and at 2 and 3 years old had choreographed and performed for his tirelessly supportive parents; countless dances to everything from Michael Jackson to Donna Summer.
Singer Pixie Lott is set to join the Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers in the show, Puttin’ On The Ritz. The young pop star will star in the show, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and George Gershwin, opening at the New Wimbledon Theatre.
The Guardian’s dance critic Judith Mackrell – following a Rambert performance late last year – asked if choreographers needed editors. Sometimes it is a common view, other times not so much, that dance work might benefit from an external eye cast over it to ensure it is succinct and comprehensive. This view may smart with some dance creators, however it seems necessary in order to create the best work possible for the future.
Stephen Quildan was born in London and trained at the BRIT School, later Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. He has performed with English National Ballet (Romeo & Juliet) at the Royal Albert Hall and Peter Schaufuss Balletten (Nøddebo Præstegård), Danish tour. Whilst at Rambert he performed in August Bournonville’s ‘Napoli’ and an excerpt from Peter Darrell’s ‘Nutcracker’. Stephen has also worked with contemporary choreographers such as Mark Baldwin (Rite of Spring) and Darren Ellis. Stephen also has performed his own work in Poland and the UK. He soon will be dancing lead roles in Pineapple Poll and Carnival of the Animals for The Chelmsford Ballet Company.
Northern Ballet, one of the five major companies in the UK, is returning to London’s Sadler’s Wells with its smash hit, sell-out production of The Great Gatsby from 24–28 March. Based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year – as well as referencing the box office hit film of the same name – Northern Ballet brings both the glamour and seduction of the roaring twenties to the stage.
The iconic Tate Modern is to become a museum of dance for 48 hours as 75 performers take over the gallery spaces for displays and workshops, and the Turbine Hall is transformed into a nightclub, planned by French choreographer Boris Charmatz. The May project will feature performances ranging from ballet to krump as well as works by the renowned Charmatz himself.
A special exhibition celebrating 40 years of theatre on Broadway and the West End is to run in both New York and London. Provisionally called Curtain Up!, the exhibition is timed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Olivier Awards in 2016, and will showcase past winners of the awards in the ultimate celebration of theatre and the arts in the two cities.
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.
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.