Preview: EDge at Hexham Queen’s Hall

Follow North East Theatre Guide on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NETheatreGuide and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NETheatreGuide. Read about JoWhereToGo and its PR and photography services here.

Newcastle dancer Ellis Saul returns to North East as part of EDge: London Contemporary Dance

EDge: London Contemporary Dance

Hexham Queen’s Hall Arts Centre

Tuesday 24^th May 2016

Ellis Saul

Ellis Saul was born in Newcastle upon Tyne and first started to dance at Dame Allan’s School. Her training began at Dance City’s Centre for Advanced Training program, from there she went on to join London Contemporary Dance School. Ellis graduated with a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance and received the Peggy Hawkings Scholarship.

She has worked with a youth dance company in Newcastle and was a choreographer for the Youth Dance England Young Creatives scheme in 2012. Since joining London Contemporary Dance School Ellis has been an alumni choreographer on the Youth Dance England Creative programme. During her studies at London Contemporary Dance School she has performed in works choreographed by Crystal Pite, John Ross, Renaud Wiser, and James Cousins for Robert Cohan’s 90th birthday celebrations at The Place. 

EDge, London Contemporary Dance School’s vibrant postgraduate dance company to tour four specially commissioned new works across 15 venues and six countries and they’re coming to Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham.

The 13 dancers will perform pieces by four of the most innovative choreographers working in dance today. Each choreographer has their own distinct style, with influences as diverse as krumping, philosophy, physical comedy, film and human relationships.

Photo: Chris Nash

Former ballet dancer and associate artist of the Royal Opera House and Sadler’s Wells, Alexander Whitley has been described as the ‘heir’ to Wayne McGregor with his fluid, hinging choreography and quest for innovation. His work often includes elements taken from numerous art-forms such as film, digital art and music which creates wide-ranging work that seeks to broaden the scope of dance.

London Contemporary Dance Schoolgraduate Joseph Toonga makes dance that explores the tensions between strength and softness through a powerful blend of hip hop and contemporary movement. Alongside making work for his company Just Us Dance Theatre, he has recently created new work for Richard Alston Dance Company and Bundesjundenballett.

Philippe Blanchard is a French choreographer and dancer who creates installation-like studies of human behaviour and relationships that refuse to conform to expectations. He has created work for Skånes Dance Theater in Sweden and the arts collective Adekwhat, and as a dancer performed with Batsheeva, Netherlands Dance Theater and Cullberg Ballet.

Tom Roden is an award winning comedian, dancer and choreographer. A founding member of New Art Club, he makes dance that’s anarchic, artistic, fun and funny. He has worked as a movement director at some of the world’s leading Opera Houses and has choreographed dance and theatre shows with companies such as Scottish Dance Theatre, The Royal Exchange and Bolton Octagon.

When not performing its busy touring schedule, EDge is based at London Contemporary Dance School, a world-class conservatoire and part of dance powerhouse The Place, which has unrivalled connections to the professional dance world.

EDge is committed to supporting dance development, through commissioning UK and international choreographic talent to create new work, alongside supporting established artists through its selected touring repertoire. The 2016 tour features a creative residency in Portugal and public performances in countries across Europe including Austria, Italy, Portugal and Sweden, plus a series of five nights at home at The Place in London.

Artistic Director: Jeanne Yasko

Dancers: Michaela Grace Best, Bianca Brookes, Madison Capel-Bird, NamYoon Kim, King San Lo, Wai Shan Vivian Luk, Katrina Elisa Madrilejo, Ellis Saul, Kenny Shim, Rosemarie Stea, Andrew Swan,  Stanley West and Alistair Wroe

Tickets: 

EDge: LondonContemporary Dance will be at the Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham on Tuesday 24 May at 7.30pm. Tickets are £6.00 - £13.00 and available from the Box Office 01434 652477 or online at http://www.queenshall.co.uk/events/edge