> International choreographer comes to Barnsley for Big Dance
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International choreographer comes to Barnsley for Big Dance
Qdos Dance Theatre have created a brand-new performance especially for Cannon Hall with international choreographer Gerry Turvey, and it will be performed as Barnsley’s Big Dance 2008 event on Saturday.
Up to 15 members of the Qdos youth group, boys and girls aged between six and 15, plus performers from Cross the Sky, Action Space Mobile’s theatre company for people with learning disabilities, are taking part in Red, created by internationally-renowned choreographer Gerry Turvey. Katy Marsh, Qdos’ dance theatre development worker, is also appearing.
Red organiser, Qdos’ general manager Katrina Whale, said: “Cannon Hall seems to be a special place for lots of children. They are all fond of it, and are excited about being here. It’s a place that they know, but they are exploring it in a different way, looking at it with different eyes, not just running from the ice-cream to the animals.”
The performance is centred on an archway in front of the walled garden, and takes place on the steps, benches and walls. Ms Whale continues: “The children are making shapes and images that respond and reflect to the environment, structures and the buildings, exploring the idea of support. For the younger ones especially, who have not appeared with older performers at events such as the Holocaust Memorial, it’s great for other people to see their work.“
Leeds-based choreographer Ms Turvey is inspired by community and culture. She has established and participated in dance projects all over the world, and has created previous site-specific works in Yorkshire, including Moving the Earth, at allotment plots in Sheffield, and Deep Waters, on the Leeds-Liverpool canal. This is her first project in Barnsley. She said: “It was very hard to choose a specific site within Cannon Hall park as the landscape is so magnificent. We have called the performance Red to contrast with all the green around us. Red also suggests dynamism, and that seems to be what Cannon Hall is about.” The performers wear red costumes, and are accompanied by Yorkshire violinist Eddie Armitage.
Big Dance 2008, July 5-13, is a biennial event, strategically-led by Arts Council England, working in partnership with local authorities and dance organisations nationally. Big Dance aims to form part of Arts Council England’s overall strategy to position dance as a high-profile physical activity.
The Barnsley contribution has been instigated by Ian Morley, arts development officer for Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council. In his previous post in Rotherham, he arranged a public dance event in the town centre for Big Dance 2006.
Mr Morley said: “I hope that this is the start of a large dance initiative in Barnsley. It would be great to get a lot more people involved in a lot more dance.”
Admission to the event is free. It is at Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens, Bark House Lane, Cawthorne, Barnsley S75 4AT, in front of the walled garden, at 12pm and 2pm, Saturday, July 12. For further information on Big Dance 2008, see www.bigdance.org.uk