A first here on Article19 as we bring you a feature on Stopgap Dance Company and their new piece of work ‘Artificial Things’. One of the few integrated dance companies in the wide world of dance this particular work was created by AD Lucy Bennett and guest dance maker Yoshifumi Inao.
The work brings us a mix of abstract dance making and some story telling through three distinct scenes in the hour long piece. It is also the only dance piece in recorded history that utilises a remote control Henry Hoover!
Stopgap tell us this much about their work;
“Slowly suffocating in each other’s company, a group of individuals seek escape in a bash of riotous rock-n-roll. However, their wild disorder descends into playground politics and reveals some uncomfortable truths. In this cinematic and evocative production Stopgap Dance Company creates a compact world of riddles that question our notions about unity and co-existence.”
For our feature we also bring you interviews with company director Lucy Bennett and company dancer Laura Jones, a 13 year veteran of Stopgap. They discuss the work and the challenges faced training and retaining dancers for the company.
‘Artificial Things’ is performed by Amy Butler, Laura Jones, Chris Pavia, Dave Toole and David Willdridge. The work continues touring all the way through November, check the company website for details.
Filmed at The Riley Theatre in Leeds on October 10th 2014.