All the world’s a stage: now so is Newport Market

A pioneering dance performance will take place in Newport’s Indoor market only on November 12 and 13 in a groundbreaking new venture, Stuck in the Mud aims to explore and challenge perceptions of disability.

The work, produced by GDance will be choreographed to fit the indoor market and take the audience on a journey of dance from the Riverfront Theatre, to and through, the market.

Stuck in the Mud has already reinforced positive impressions of the talents of disabled people first established in the minds of worldwide audiences through the 2012 Paralympics if the reception it received at Hidcote is anything to go by.

Quotes from its the premiere at Hidcote :-

“I found the whole experience magical and overwhelming”

“Hugely thought provoking. Dream like. Beautiful”

“Lyrical and beautiful! Quite a magical experience!”

Next week on Tuesday and Wednesday 4pm and 6pm it will be recreated in Newport’s Victorian market as part of the Riverfront Theatre’s ‘Discover Dance’ Festival.

The ambitious partnership unites an inclusion specialist dance trainer and producer; a Welsh ballet company and the Riverfront Theatre and promises to continue to encourage vital learning curves, and outcomes of national significance.

GDance is hoping to develop partnerships with European Parks and Gardens through which to take the production overseas in 2014

The cast includes 11 from Ballet Cymru; 3 disabled contemporary dancers and local dance groups Hijinx and CoMotion.

Stuck in the Mud is financed by the National Trust, Arts Council England and Arts Council of Wales.

Quote in The Buzz Nov: “Far from the playground game where you find yourself running from ‘it’ and diving through people’s legs, Stuck In The Mud is new dance performance that will be making a stage out of Newport’s Indoor Market. As part of the Riverfront Theatre’s Discover Dance Festival and produced by GDance, in partnership with Ballet Cymru, Stuck in the Mud aims to explore and challenge perceptions of disability. With two up-and-coming disabled choreographers, Laura Dajao and Chisato Minamimura, and several disabled contemporary dancers performing in the show Stuck in the Mud has been challenging those ‘stuck in their ways’ from its inception.

Artistic Director of Ballet Cymru Darius James said:
“Ballet Cymru is committed to breaking down boundaries and making ballet more accessible. Working again with choreographer Marc Brew is a wonderful opportunity for our dancers and it has long been a goal to work more closely with GDance.”

For more information, contact Helen Crocker, Producer, on 01452 550 431 or helen@gdance.co.uk.

About Hijinx and CoMotion

Hijinx: www.hijinx.org.uk/the-academy

§  contact ben.pettitt-wade@hijinx.org.uk

§  Stuart Campbell, Gareth Clark, Lindsay Davies, Sian Fouladi, Danny Mannings, Matthew Mullins, Matthew Purnell and Richard Newnham.

§  Hijinx Academy is a unique performance skills training course for learning disabled adults from Cardiff and the surrounding area. Students on the Academy study a variety of skills including clowning, Comedia dell’Arte, forum theatre techniques and more. The Academy is designed to prepare students for employment as performers by creating an environment which is as close as possible to a professional rehearsal.

CoMotion: https://twitter.com/EtcDance

§  contact - lizzie.dance.etc@gmail.com

§  CoMotion is part of the programme delivered by ETC Dance (Engaging Through Creativity). ETC Dance aims to initiate, develop and maintain dance provision within Bridgend County.

§  ETC Dance also provides workshops for children and young people aged 3 and upwards and hosts Bridgend Youth Dance in partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council and The Grand Pavilion Theatre Porthcawl. CoMotion would like to thank Porthcawl Town Council for funding, and the Grand Pavilion, Trinity Care Project in Porthcawl and Pyle Day Centre for support and volunteers.