We’ve got 2 fantastic dance performances for you on August First Friday. One is Encore which will be performed by the Ludus Youth Dance Company at Market Square at 1pm and the other is Yea BIG, a show that Ludus Dance are taking to Edinburgh which will be performed at 7pm at the Ludus Dance Studios.
Here is a blog written by Ashleigh Shorrock who is a current member of Ludus Youth Dance Company about how their performance piece Encore was created. We hope you enjoy reading this wonderful blog as much as we did!
The Process:
In August 2015, Ludus Youth Dance Company were given the opportunity to work with nationally renowned choreographer/dancer Gary Clarke. Over an intense five day devising project Gary collaborated with the dancers to create a new performance piece inspired by one of his previous works. Working with Gary was physically demanding, challenging yet inspirational, the dancers were pushed to use unfamiliar skills such as the facial expressions and speech within their performance. By the end of the intensive Gary had selected material created throughout the process and strung it together creating a 20 minute long performance, “encore”.
Encore:
“Encore” is a physical theatre piece created on the basis of one of Gary’s signature works, “Two Men and a Michael” , a piece inspired by slapstick humour and comedy double acts such as Morecambe & Wise. Gary described the dancers clown-like characters as “grotesque entertainers” as the piece explores the dark under-belly of theatre. With comedy elements and sinister twists “encore” is not your typical dance performance.
About Ludus Youth Dance Company:
As Lancashire’s flagship youth dance company Ludus Youth Dance Company is a brilliant opportunity for talented dancers aged 14-21 from across the region. Dancers who successfully audition are offered high quality training in contemporary dance, physical theatre and performance skills as well as taking part in a number of performances across the country. Dancers take part in regular intensives with professional artists were new works are created and new skills are developed, helping young dancers to prepare for careers in the dance world. This year, the 2015-2016 company have been raising money to fund a trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016 in August, where they will be touring their work “Encore” alongside other performers from the Northwest in a mixed bill : “Yea Big”.
