Northern Ballet will open its autumn season with the world première of three new dance pieces in its Mixed Programme, with performances in Leeds and Doncaster. Giving Yorkshire audiences the chance to be the first to see work by upcoming and award-winning choreographers, Northern Ballet’s world-class dancers will perform The Shape of Sound by Kenneth Tindall, The Kingdom of Back by Morgann Runacre-Temple and Mamela… by Mlindi Kulashe (a dancer of the company). The Mixed Programme will première at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre in Leeds until 15 September, before performances at Cast in Doncaster on 21 & 22 September. Continue reading Northern Ballet’s autumn season
Mamma Mia! the party
Executive producer Björn Ulvaeus and producer Ingrid Sutej have announced that MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY, an immersive theatrical and dining experience launched in Stockholm, will take up residency in a specially-adapted venue within London’s The O2. The London production of MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is set to open in late spring 2019, with tickets going on sale this autumn. MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY opened in January 2016, and it is now in its third sold-out year. Continue reading Mamma Mia! the party
Make pointe work pain free
If you’re a professional dancer wearing pointe shoes all day, it is likely that you will experience pain with pointe work. However, it is possible for pointe to be pain-free, especially for dancers who just take weekly classes or who are not aiming for vocational training: those who would like their pointe work to be a little more enjoyable. Continue reading Make pointe work pain free
Dance over exercise for brain health
A new study, published in the Frontiers neuroscience journal, has found that learning to dance helped older people combat cognitive decline and improved their balance at a greater rate than simply physical exercise. The well-known adage is ‘use it or lose it’ however it is interesting to note that dance is ranked higher than just exercise in terms of benefitting body and mind. The study was undertaken by neuroscientists showing dance to improve brain health. Continue reading Dance over exercise for brain health
A body for dance
All professional dancers will have different ways of caring for their bodies, easing the strain dance and performance has on their physicality, and has had over the many years of their career. Bodies must be strong for long-term success, and each dancer will have their own processes which work for them. Continue reading A body for dance
Southbank Centre’s upcoming dance
More fantastic dance is heading for the Southbank Centre this Autumn. Continue reading Southbank Centre’s upcoming dance
Professional rejection
Even professional dancers at the top of their game can be rejected. Whilst they may appear to hold their heads high, it is a truly hard moment of any career, and dancers can sometimes find it hard to spring back following this. As painful as the experience may be, it is possible to rebuild your career after being rejected or fired. The key is to part ways like a professional, regain confidence and have greater success next time. Continue reading Professional rejection
Competition vibes
Whether you are a dance student or a professional dancer in a company, there are competitions for all ages and all levels. These could be local competitions between different dance schools, or they could be at an international level and require a plane journey in order to take part. Continue reading Competition vibes
The UK’s first theatre convention
For the first time ever in the UK, StageCon, a convention for theatre fans throughout the UK and Europe, will be held on 3 & 4 November at Shoreditch Town Hall in London. StageCon will present an exciting opportunity for theatre fans to come together to celebrate the magic of theatre. Visitors can enjoy a diverse programme of 100+ hours of events and performances from favourite artists, theatre makers and shows – from the West End to the Fringe and beyond. Continue reading The UK’s first theatre convention
What Brexit means for Dance
One Dance UK, the support organisation for dance in the UK has published Movement Beyond Borders – the UK dance sector outlook on Brexit, following a report claiming that without the right safeguards in place, Brexit will have a detrimental effect on dance in the UK. Continue reading What Brexit means for Dance