Following sell out performances across Europe this Spring, National Dance Company Wales returns to UK stages with a double bill of dynamic dance. Frontiers will allow audiences to experience two different worlds; reflecting on the world we live in today and looking towards the future.
National Dance Company Wales is known for its brilliantly crafted, life-affirming performances, which blend impressive choreography, stunning design and new music.
‘Frontiers’ is made up of two performances that mix awe-inspiring movement and meaningful stories.
The double bill features the premieres of ‘AUGUST’ by the company’s Artistic Director Matthew William Robinson and ‘Skinners’ by Melanie Lane – an Australian choreographer of European and Javanese heritage.
AUGUST will be one of three of Matthew’s last works for the company before he leaves to take the helm as Artistic Director of ŻfinMalta in January 2025.
“Since 2021, I’ve had the honour of leading the company, collaborating with an extraordinary ensemble of artists and visionaries. Together, we have forged 14 new works, traversed Wales, and carried our work of Wales to audiences across the rest of the United Kingdom, Korea, Germany, France, Luxembourg, and Italy. I have loved being here in Wales working with the company and take all I have learnt and experienced with me. I am delighted that as one of my last productions, we will travel all over Wales with this tour, allowing me to traverse this incredible landscape one last time, for now” says NDCWales Artistic Director Matthew Robinson.
The first half of the double bill, a 30 minute piece called AUGUST, is a collaboration between Matthew William Robinson, the company dancers, composer Torben Sylvest and designers George Hampton Wale and Emma Jones.
AUGUST showcases the athletic prowess of Wales’ dancers and is set to clever music that incorporates sounds of machinery. The dancers are clothed in deconstructed suits that glow impressively under sunset inspired neon lighting.
“AUGUST navigates the challenge of uncertainty and departure, exploring the tension between who we were and who we are yet to become in times of change. It is inspired by the time that followed the death of my father, and how that experience shaped and continues to shape my life. The work is in no way autobiographical, I hope it gives audiences space to consider change in their own life while experiencing some exceptional dancing” says Matthew.
The second half of the event ‘Skinners’ by Melanie Lane will transport audiences to a digital landscape that blurs the edges of reality. Electronic music and lighting will flood the stage as dramatic costumes allow the dancers to glitch between two-dimensional pixelated avatars and human beings.
“Melanie was a dream to work with, and has created something truly powerful with the dancers that draws on and stretches the breadth of their physical skills. Audiences can expect a wild ride with this work. The movement pulsates, as the dancers navigate complex movement patterns and relationships, sliding into and out of contact and formation. The work ends with some incredibly moving partnerwork, as the dancers lift and throw each other across the stage. It really asks you to consider community and connection as a way to navigate our personal and global challenges” explains Matthew.
Alongside ‘Frontiers’ National Dance Company Wales will tour their popular schools and families show ’Lea Anderson’s Zoetrope’. Zoetrope is an hour-long show which is supported by lesson plans for teachers. Zoetrope is available with audio description at all venues.
“Get in touch with us if you are a school interested in augmenting your expressive arts curriculum with a trip to your local theatre” says Matthew.
Audiences experiencing the worlds created on stage by National Dance Company Wales come away exhilarated and inspired by the extraordinary talent of the dancers.
Each performance will be followed by a post-show-talk where audiences can learn more about the work, and life as a professional dancer; a number of the talks will be supported by BSL interpretation.
The tour is generously supported by Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government and the Colwinston Charitable Trust.
Frontiers tours from September to November 2024 visiting Cardiff, Hereford, Swansea, London, Brecon, Newtown, Bangor, Huddersfield and Aberystwyth.
To book for Frontiers or to find out more about Zoetrope, audiences can visit ndcwales.co.uk