Categories
Live Performance

2Faced Dance Company from UK performs RUN coordinated by Attakkalari

The award-winning, international 2Faced Dance Company, headed by artistic director and choreographer Tamsin Fitzgerald and known for its physically adventurous dance work, returns to India to deliver the second phase of Outlands – an exciting programme of dance performances, educational and development opportunities – from 20 January to 13 February 2017.

National Dance Award nominated company, 2Faced Dance, were awarded Arts Council England ‘Reimagine India’ funding to deliver Outlands’ programme phase one in January 2016 and phase two in 2017, return to India to continue their work with partner organisations during this unique and ground-breaking international cultural exchange.

Partner organisations – Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts in Bangalore, Sumeet Navgdev Dance Arts in Mumbai, and Darpana Academy of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad.

In India, and under the Outlands umbrella, 2Faced Dance will present its current touring work RUN in Mumbai and Bangalore, deliver The BENCH India, a pioneering, one-off opportunity for emerging female choreographers (marking first overseas presentation of The BENCH programme previously seen in the UK), commission two emerging female choreographers and bring their work to the UK to tour in autumn 2017 and deliver free educational and practical workshops in several locations in India.

The BENCH India is a unique opportunity for five emerging female choreographers working in India to participate in a 9-month mentorship and training programme, giving aspiring artists the confidence to put their work on an international platform and get their artistic voice heard.

All five of the selected choreographers will pitch for one of two 245,000INR (£3000) commissions to create a new work and tour it to leading UK theatres in September and October 2017. Pitches will take place at the Attakkalari Biennale in Bangalore on Tuesday 7 February 2017.

Jayachandran Palazhy, Artistic Director of Attakkalari Centre for Movement has commented:

“RUN, a triple bill by three female choreographers from diverse backgrounds across Europe working with an all-male intensely physical dance company is a truly unique production by the 2Faced Dance Company.

The company’s tour of India with RUN comes under the aegis of Reimagine India, an Indo-UK cultural partnership by Arts Council England and the British Council, which also includes the Indian edition of their much acclaimed conference The BENCH in partnership with the Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts to engage and commission young female choreographers in the country.”

Peter Knott, Area Director (Midlands), Arts Council England, said:

“We’re delighted to be investing in Outlands. Our Reimagine India funding is all about promoting cultural understanding and exchange across the world and at home. 2Faced Dance has already begun to forge exciting partnerships between dancers and choreographers in the UK and India, and with our support it will be great to see this cultural exchange continue to flourish.”

This second phase of Outlands allows 2Faced Dance to continue work that aims to ensure the longevity of opportunities for female choreographers whilst recognising the wealth of talent, experience and creativity female artists offer to local, national and international communities.

Speaking about the company’s imminent trip, Artistic Director Tamsin Fitzgerald said:

“This visit to India signifies a crucial development for the sector, uniting female choreographers from across the world and demonstrating the real need for gender development globally. We are also delighted to be able to showcase RUN to an international audience. This production marks a pivotal point for the company within both our touring history and the important work that we are leading on within gender equality. With a remarkable company of dancers and an exceptional choreographic, design and musical team, RUN demonstrates a real commitment to supporting women as artists. Not because we have to, but because they are talented, produce great work and this needs to be shared with people across the globe.”

2Faced Dance completed a highly acclaimed RUN UK tour in autumn 2017, visiting 10 venues and selling out in Birmingham, Bournemouth and Leeds. The company is delighted to present their latest triple bill of dance in Mumbai and Bangalore.

Performing at National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai on Thursday 26 January and Gurunanak Bhavan Auditorium, Bangalore on Wednesday 1 February, RUN is a gritty and explosive evening of works by three leading female choreographers – Tamsin Fitzgerald, Rebecca Evans and Lenka Vagnerová – who explore human choice and our decision to fight or take flight from the darker side of humanity.

With ground-breaking movement and theatre, designs and original musical composition, RUN is an exhilarating evening of contemporary dance theatre from 2Faced Dance.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *