It’s time to reunite with us here to witness live dance again. Leading contemporary dance choreographers, Emma Farnell Watson and Joshua Smith are curating a new wave of movement artists to share an evening of dance with you, here at The Playground Theatre.
Reune will be a night of healing and recovery as Emma and Josh curate a brand new show, with many works made in response to confinement.
Emma has toured internationally with a range of contemporary companies including Jasmin Vardimon Company and Hofesh Shechter Company. She has freelanced with Michael Keegan Doolan, Shahar Binyamini, Dickson MBI, Dane Hurt, and New Movement Collective. In the commercial industry she has featured in adverts for Garnier, Vodafone, SKYN, Johnnie Walker, Fiorrucci x Adidas, events for Cartier and SWATCH, danced in film for HBO series “A Brave New World”, BBC series “Life in Squares”, BBC proms dance film “Beethoveniena”, and Disneys live action remake of “Aladdin”. She has performed in music videos for Coldplay, MK, DJ Tiesto and Underworld and performed at The Brit Awards for Dua Lipa x Calvin Harris. She has been choreographed Jamie Cullum’s music video, “Hang Your Lights” and for theatre company, Rifts, immersive production of Midsummers Night Dream.
Josh has toured internationally a range of contemporary Companies including Jasmin Vardimon, Tom Dale, James Cousins, Arthur Pita, James Wilton, Rosie Kay and Avant Garde Company and creative research with Akram Khan. Alongside this he has worked commercially including adverts for Ikea, SKYN, Oculus and Reebok, events for Hermes, in film "Everybody's talking about Jamie”, in series, “Pursuit of Love” and BBC proms dance film “Beethoveniena”. He has shot music videos for James Vickory, Paloma Faith, Jamie Cullum and performed live on X factor for Ellie Goulding.
Photograph by Jennifer McCord
Programme
‘Off’
Live performance
Choreographer and performer- Jack Thomson
‘Off’ was originally created and performed as a public intervention in the reception of a large office building in Niigata, Japan, in January 2020.This solo make a scenario out of the themes of hiding as a form of liberation and sharing as a system of conformity. The presence of an audience is crucial for this solo, as spectators they force the body into a state of performance, and witness as it deals with being watched. With few changes to this solo, Jack is excited and intrigued to perform ‘Off’ in a theatre environment, as a lot of the decisions in the costuming, choreography and music were intended for a different context.
“ O L I V E ”
Film cut outs to fit with live performance
Choreographer and Performer - Anna Engerstrom
A live work accompanied by film. With this film project, Anna was originally inspired by a friend’s
bar in Manhattan, which had this incredible aura and mood that really is the encyclopedia for her styling and choreography and camera relationship. She created the music last and by coincidence. For anna, it’s a story of a mood. A mood of confidence, “introvertism”, tease, empowerment and also the acknowledgement of the strength and peace that sensitivity and of simply being brings. We meet two characters with heart, assertiveness and connection, who listen to each other but still walk they’re own way, hand in hand.
“Insignificant”
Live performance
Choreographer and Performer - James Olivio
"Simple dancing, simple moving, contemplative in decision and direction, another attempt to be present today, another chance to share what i am today.”
“Makaya”
Live Performance
Choreographer and Performer - Ann Francis Ang
‘Makaya’ is a solo-work that was created in autumn of 2020, where hope and uncertainty could
have felt like one in the same. This solo delves into the different coping mechanisms of grief, taking its time to find solace. Directed and mentored by Alleyne Dance.
“Eye to Eye”
Live Performance
Choreographers and Performers - Shanika Wallace and Tania ChiKaima
Eye To Eye introduces a world where the game meets the mind. Where life and chess become
one. Inspired from the immense beauty felt by the artistry of minds clashing over a chess board.
We view chess as more than a game, more than names, pieces, functions, winning or losing. It is the movement of structure, decision, sacrifice and compromise derived from a choice. This dance piece explores relatable life themes with chess strategy - there are infinite possibilities in
movement, perspective and how one can play chess. Eye To Eye pays particular attention to the Queens, constructing a beautifully exaggerated synopsis on the two most powerful pieces in the game. Toying with the ideology of mental wars, hierarchy, race, choice and sacrifice between the two kindred Queens jointly bounded by role and identity.
Magnus Westwell [Live Set]
with Max Cookward
Performer - Max Cookward
Live music - Magnus Westwell
An improvised conversation between movement and music.
“I am present”
Live Performance
Choreographer and Performer - Paris Crossley
How the body reacts to sensations (sensory input) whilst simultaneously (actively) acknowledging itself (in real time).
Can’t Do This Without You
Live Performance
Choreographer and performer – Seirian Griffiths
Music - Seirian Griffiths
A solo movement response to an originally composed track
Master of None
Live Performance
Choreographer and Performer - Celine Fortenbacher
We often tend to define ourselves over what we produce, and how we present ourselves to the
outside world. We’re also surrounded by information and screens to other people’s lives 24/7,
forcing us to compare, subconsciously cater to a version others have of ourselves and forget to just exist altogether. What if we catered to our own version, the one that isn’t performed? This
improvised solo reflects on this question.
FILM WORK
“Fagtasy”
Film work
Performer and Choreographer - Jonathan Luke Baker
The piece is about reincarnation and illusion, it's about the process of when as queer people we
make fake realities to either protect ourselves, or even destroy ourselves. The work is about the
moment this fake reality comes crashing down and the fantasy is broken. What is left? Is that
reincarnation?
“Ruins”
Film Work
Performers and Choreographers - FUBUNATION
FUBUNATION open a dialogue surrounding the myth of masculinity as it is felt within the PanAfrican diaspora. They are deconstructing the power struggle within themselves and finding the balance between conflict, vulnerability, and codependency. By doing so, they own and repair their deeper anxieties that they have learned so well to mask. Ruins' is an interdisciplinary project displayed through live performance, film and photography. This work is a testimony of the generational trauma inherited by men from marginalised groups with the mission of creating a space where the black male figure is more visible and honestly represented in its full complexity.
“Boys Don’t Cry”
Film Work
Directed and Written - John Ross
Music - Jonny Colgan
Video editor - Alice Underwood
Participants - Grant Keelan, Jordan Ajadi, Staurt Waters, David Lyyod, Jean Abreu, Jorge Cresis, Thomas Hands, Nathan goodman, Durassie Amadu, Joshua Phara, Aaron Vickers, Jude Monk Mcgowan, Lewis Cooke, Uros Petronijevic, Anthony Hume, Miguel Hernando Torres, Phil Hulford, Andrew McCabe When you scream so loudly but no one can hear you. This film was made in conversation with the participants, gathering words made to shape us. Growing up as a boy I was told only girls cry... They lied.
“Patients”
Film Work
Choreographers and Performers - Emma Farnell-Watson and Joshua Smith
Director - Jaka Skapin
DOP - Pavel Raduu
A delicate short dedicated to isolation, the struggle we all have had against time, mental health,
anxiety and love. This period of lockdown has held a mirror up in front of each one of us and made us question the fabric of whats around. The sturdiness of our support structure has been tested. The comfort we have sitting with ourselves naked, without occupation or glamour to frame our identities. A story of love and time, mental adversity and intimacy.
“What Lies Beyond: A Moving Experience”
Film Work
Creators - Eleonora Rambsy Herrera and Steve Dilworth
An intergenerational creative collaboration that explores the experience of bereavement and
grieving through dance movement. A daughter who lost her father - and a father who lost his two sons - they each seek to connect with, and express, their loss through the wisdom of the body, when words are simply not enough to say what needs to be heard and seen.
An arts-based research project captured by Mohdo film productions, and winner of Eurasia film
festival (short documentary) in 2020.
“Putzi”
Film Work
Choreographer and Performer - Celine Fortenbacher
Putzi Kamionka is a movement devised tragicomedy which explores the human nature
through the wonderfully naive and awkwardly graceful creature that is Putzi. Putzi is from
some otherworldly place and finds herself on earth where she is driven by her obsession
to find beautiful objects, which places her in unexpected situations. The short film was a
trailer for the 20-minute solo show which Celine wrote, performed and directed as part of
the Resolution festival back in 2019 at The Place Theatre.
Reune will be a night of healing and recovery as Emma and Josh curate a brand new show, with many works made in response to confinement.
Emma has toured internationally with a range of contemporary companies including Jasmin Vardimon Company and Hofesh Shechter Company. She has freelanced with Michael Keegan Doolan, Shahar Binyamini, Dickson MBI, Dane Hurt, and New Movement Collective. In the commercial industry she has featured in adverts for Garnier, Vodafone, SKYN, Johnnie Walker, Fiorrucci x Adidas, events for Cartier and SWATCH, danced in film for HBO series “A Brave New World”, BBC series “Life in Squares”, BBC proms dance film “Beethoveniena”, and Disneys live action remake of “Aladdin”. She has performed in music videos for Coldplay, MK, DJ Tiesto and Underworld and performed at The Brit Awards for Dua Lipa x Calvin Harris. She has been choreographed Jamie Cullum’s music video, “Hang Your Lights” and for theatre company, Rifts, immersive production of Midsummers Night Dream.
Josh has toured internationally a range of contemporary Companies including Jasmin Vardimon, Tom Dale, James Cousins, Arthur Pita, James Wilton, Rosie Kay and Avant Garde Company and creative research with Akram Khan. Alongside this he has worked commercially including adverts for Ikea, SKYN, Oculus and Reebok, events for Hermes, in film "Everybody's talking about Jamie”, in series, “Pursuit of Love” and BBC proms dance film “Beethoveniena”. He has shot music videos for James Vickory, Paloma Faith, Jamie Cullum and performed live on X factor for Ellie Goulding.
Photograph by Jennifer McCord
Programme
‘Off’
Live performance
Choreographer and performer- Jack Thomson
‘Off’ was originally created and performed as a public intervention in the reception of a large office building in Niigata, Japan, in January 2020.This solo make a scenario out of the themes of hiding as a form of liberation and sharing as a system of conformity. The presence of an audience is crucial for this solo, as spectators they force the body into a state of performance, and witness as it deals with being watched. With few changes to this solo, Jack is excited and intrigued to perform ‘Off’ in a theatre environment, as a lot of the decisions in the costuming, choreography and music were intended for a different context.
“ O L I V E ”
Film cut outs to fit with live performance
Choreographer and Performer - Anna Engerstrom
A live work accompanied by film. With this film project, Anna was originally inspired by a friend’s
bar in Manhattan, which had this incredible aura and mood that really is the encyclopedia for her styling and choreography and camera relationship. She created the music last and by coincidence. For anna, it’s a story of a mood. A mood of confidence, “introvertism”, tease, empowerment and also the acknowledgement of the strength and peace that sensitivity and of simply being brings. We meet two characters with heart, assertiveness and connection, who listen to each other but still walk they’re own way, hand in hand.
“Insignificant”
Live performance
Choreographer and Performer - James Olivio
"Simple dancing, simple moving, contemplative in decision and direction, another attempt to be present today, another chance to share what i am today.”
“Makaya”
Live Performance
Choreographer and Performer - Ann Francis Ang
‘Makaya’ is a solo-work that was created in autumn of 2020, where hope and uncertainty could
have felt like one in the same. This solo delves into the different coping mechanisms of grief, taking its time to find solace. Directed and mentored by Alleyne Dance.
“Eye to Eye”
Live Performance
Choreographers and Performers - Shanika Wallace and Tania ChiKaima
Eye To Eye introduces a world where the game meets the mind. Where life and chess become
one. Inspired from the immense beauty felt by the artistry of minds clashing over a chess board.
We view chess as more than a game, more than names, pieces, functions, winning or losing. It is the movement of structure, decision, sacrifice and compromise derived from a choice. This dance piece explores relatable life themes with chess strategy - there are infinite possibilities in
movement, perspective and how one can play chess. Eye To Eye pays particular attention to the Queens, constructing a beautifully exaggerated synopsis on the two most powerful pieces in the game. Toying with the ideology of mental wars, hierarchy, race, choice and sacrifice between the two kindred Queens jointly bounded by role and identity.
Magnus Westwell [Live Set]
with Max Cookward
Performer - Max Cookward
Live music - Magnus Westwell
An improvised conversation between movement and music.
“I am present”
Live Performance
Choreographer and Performer - Paris Crossley
How the body reacts to sensations (sensory input) whilst simultaneously (actively) acknowledging itself (in real time).
Can’t Do This Without You
Live Performance
Choreographer and performer – Seirian Griffiths
Music - Seirian Griffiths
A solo movement response to an originally composed track
Master of None
Live Performance
Choreographer and Performer - Celine Fortenbacher
We often tend to define ourselves over what we produce, and how we present ourselves to the
outside world. We’re also surrounded by information and screens to other people’s lives 24/7,
forcing us to compare, subconsciously cater to a version others have of ourselves and forget to just exist altogether. What if we catered to our own version, the one that isn’t performed? This
improvised solo reflects on this question.
FILM WORK
“Fagtasy”
Film work
Performer and Choreographer - Jonathan Luke Baker
The piece is about reincarnation and illusion, it's about the process of when as queer people we
make fake realities to either protect ourselves, or even destroy ourselves. The work is about the
moment this fake reality comes crashing down and the fantasy is broken. What is left? Is that
reincarnation?
“Ruins”
Film Work
Performers and Choreographers - FUBUNATION
FUBUNATION open a dialogue surrounding the myth of masculinity as it is felt within the PanAfrican diaspora. They are deconstructing the power struggle within themselves and finding the balance between conflict, vulnerability, and codependency. By doing so, they own and repair their deeper anxieties that they have learned so well to mask. Ruins' is an interdisciplinary project displayed through live performance, film and photography. This work is a testimony of the generational trauma inherited by men from marginalised groups with the mission of creating a space where the black male figure is more visible and honestly represented in its full complexity.
“Boys Don’t Cry”
Film Work
Directed and Written - John Ross
Music - Jonny Colgan
Video editor - Alice Underwood
Participants - Grant Keelan, Jordan Ajadi, Staurt Waters, David Lyyod, Jean Abreu, Jorge Cresis, Thomas Hands, Nathan goodman, Durassie Amadu, Joshua Phara, Aaron Vickers, Jude Monk Mcgowan, Lewis Cooke, Uros Petronijevic, Anthony Hume, Miguel Hernando Torres, Phil Hulford, Andrew McCabe When you scream so loudly but no one can hear you. This film was made in conversation with the participants, gathering words made to shape us. Growing up as a boy I was told only girls cry... They lied.
“Patients”
Film Work
Choreographers and Performers - Emma Farnell-Watson and Joshua Smith
Director - Jaka Skapin
DOP - Pavel Raduu
A delicate short dedicated to isolation, the struggle we all have had against time, mental health,
anxiety and love. This period of lockdown has held a mirror up in front of each one of us and made us question the fabric of whats around. The sturdiness of our support structure has been tested. The comfort we have sitting with ourselves naked, without occupation or glamour to frame our identities. A story of love and time, mental adversity and intimacy.
“What Lies Beyond: A Moving Experience”
Film Work
Creators - Eleonora Rambsy Herrera and Steve Dilworth
An intergenerational creative collaboration that explores the experience of bereavement and
grieving through dance movement. A daughter who lost her father - and a father who lost his two sons - they each seek to connect with, and express, their loss through the wisdom of the body, when words are simply not enough to say what needs to be heard and seen.
An arts-based research project captured by Mohdo film productions, and winner of Eurasia film
festival (short documentary) in 2020.
“Putzi”
Film Work
Choreographer and Performer - Celine Fortenbacher
Putzi Kamionka is a movement devised tragicomedy which explores the human nature
through the wonderfully naive and awkwardly graceful creature that is Putzi. Putzi is from
some otherworldly place and finds herself on earth where she is driven by her obsession
to find beautiful objects, which places her in unexpected situations. The short film was a
trailer for the 20-minute solo show which Celine wrote, performed and directed as part of
the Resolution festival back in 2019 at The Place Theatre.