David Jays piece in The Times Online, like so many technology pieces in the broad sheet press, reads like an infomercial for the vendors of the technology they are covering. In this case Mr Jay is rambling on about the virtues of 3D film technology and its relevance to the performing arts via the newly […]
In our piece ‘quoted’ we argued that dance companies should stop using pull quotes from critics because, to be blunt, critics are ridiculous and caring about what they think is like caring if a serial killer has easy access to really sharp knives! To prove us wrong (except, not really!) The Stage newspaper has published […]
A few days ago we received an email straight out of the “fact is stranger than fiction department” from Random Dance [Company] (yes, that Random Dance [Company]) (what’s with all the damn brackets? Ed!) It said this; “Hello, I am writing to you from Wayne McGregor | Random Dance as I have seen that you […]
Conventional wisdom goes that if your show is not very successful, in terms of audience numbers, then the reason must be that your show is either no good or the art form is not very popular. Conventional wisdom is of course almost always completely wrong. If people don’t come and see your show then how […]
Taking a page from the playbook of political activists in the United States (and closer to home) DanceUK has launched ‘Dance Vote 2010’ in an effort to make political candidates for the up and coming 2010 General Election in the UK state their position in support of dance. From a practical point of view it’s […]
Every so often, here in TheLab™, we get a press release that we throw in the trash, then we read it, take it out of the trash, then throw it back in again because, to be blunt, it’s a bit bloody stupid. One such email arrived today highlighting the above pictured waifs and strays who […]
If you’re new to the wacky world of dance then there is a pretty good chance you will turn to the internet looking for information about this most beleaguered of professions. What is it? Why is it? Where is it? Are probably just a few of the questions you, as a newbie, will want to […]
File this one under “It’s Funny Because It’s Sadler’s Wells Which *Is Dance* But They Didn’t Read Their Funding Guidelines Properly So Let’s Laugh Near Them, Not At Them!” Over the last year or so a question has been niggling away at us, here in TheLab™, regarding just why the self aggrandising London theatre didn’t […]
It sometimes comes up in conversation why things are different for professional dancers compared to other folks doing their particular, non dance, job. Why do we focus on dancer’s pay and health provision so much, what’s all the fuss about? There are many reasons why the work of a professional dancer is “different” but here […]
Writings and rambling in the press are telling anybody that will listen that the current crop of dance shows on television, ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and their ilk, are cheap and nasty but they’re good for dance. The aforementioned BBC “talent” show is doing a contemporary dance bit this coming weekend with choreography […]