This spring, Devon based company Richard Chappell Dance celebrates the vibrant dance scene in the South West of England with specially curated programmes highlighting work by some of the leading and brightest local artists working today.
AMPLIFY, a new mixed bill sees Richard Chappell Dance perform extracts from its acclaimed productions alongside new works commissioned and programmed through the company’s Supporting Acts initiative, empowering South West based choreographers to deepen and develop their creative practice and artistic voice. Alongside this will be a showcase of local young talent from across the area with performances by leading youth dance companies and secondary schools.
Coming to Ashburton Arts on Friday 31 January, AMPLIFY features a mesmerising and flowing duet from Silence Between Waves, based on Chappell’s own experiences and memories of growing up on the South Devon coast. Also included in the programme is Murmur by NooN Collective, a multi-sensory, cross-artform piece about the natural phenomena of mycelium – the underground fusing networks of fungi, and ChallacombeChronicled, by renowned poet Saili Katebe with dancers from Richard Chappell Dance.
The evening’s programme is completed by a newly commissioned work from Malin Kvist and Willa Faulkner as part of Richard Chappell Dance’s Supporting Acts programme, and performances by students at Newton Abbot College and South Dartmoor Community College.
Returning to Theatre Royal Plymouth on Tuesday 18 February, AMPLIFY sees the company present an extract from its latest creation Land Empathy, inspired by the pressing challenges of the climate crisis alongside a duet from Silence Between Waves. Programmed through Supporting Acts, the evening also shines a light on the choreographic talent in the company with performances of new works by Juan Sanchez Plaza and Cornwall based Aisha Namaani, alongside Plymouth based local youth dance company Rhythm City Dance.
On Easter Monday, 21 April, Richard Chappell Dance comes to the newly re-opened Sterts Arts and Environmental Centre, on the edge of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. This unique performance sees Land Empathy presented alongside a new work commissioned through Supporting Acts by Charlotte Eaton, while in the new Barn Theatre is an extract from Silence Between Waves and Aisha Namaani’s new work.
Following its performances at Greenwich & Docklands International Festival last year, Land Empathy also tours to Sismograf Festival, Barcelona and to Tramway as part of Dance International Glasgow later this spring, with dates and details to be confirmed shortly.
This spring also sees Richard Chappell Dance continue its work in the local community in Teignbridge to coincide with its performances at Ashburton Arts Centre. Funded through Teignbridge Arts project, the company will deliver a range of participatory workshops for young and older people through South Dartmoor Community College, Newton Abbot College and Wellmoor, alongside performances in care home settings at Mapleton Care Home and Ashburton House.
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