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Edinburgh Update

by Rachael on August 22nd, 2011
Balbir Singh Dance Company,Dep Arts News,Rashdash

So I am sat in one of Edinburgh’s many cafes with a coffee on a Monday morning catching up with a few emails. This week is the last week of the Fringe and two out of the three Dep Arts’ shows we have up here this year finished over the weekend. RashDash with Scary Gorgeous won yet another Fringe First (see earlier blog post on this) and Balbir Singh Dance Company has had a great run at Dance Base with great audience numbers and consistent 4 star reviews.

There has been a lot of talk in Edinburgh this year about audience numbers and some suggesting that numbers are down on previous years; with over 2000 shows it’s difficult to say, Edinburgh feels as busy as ever and the really great shows that generate the festival hype still look to be selling out. RashDash sold out well before the end of the last week but only time will tell on what the general sense is regarding numbers for this year.

Another point of interest this year is in regard to stars. With so many people now reviewing shows and giving stars, are they still a true guide to if something is good, bad or indifferent? I do feel to have so many members of the audience writing blogs and reviewing shows is a positive move, as at the end of the day, they are the audience and that is whose opinion we should be interested in above anybody else’s. However it does then make the star system potentially redundant.

So I am now off to the ‘Visiting Arts Producers Breakfast’ and to see a whole load of shows today. Check out my blog on Wednesday for more Edinburgh mutterings and you can also follow me on twitter @departsltddavid

- David

Fringe First Winners: Rashdash

by Rachael on August 19th, 2011
Edinburgh Fringe Festival,Rashdash

Dep Arts are thrilled to announce RashDash Theatre as Fringe First winners for the Second year running with their new piece Scary Gorgeous. The Scotsman Fringe First award recognizes new and innovative writing, which strives to push boundaries and challenge audiences.

RashDash began working with Dep Arts last year as one of the first companies on the Incubate Programme, designed to help develop emerging artists and tour their work further. Since joining the programme, RashDash have continued to grow as a company, securing funding from Arts Council England, winning the Ideas Tap Edinburgh award and a Fringe First in 2010 with Another Someone.

After the huge success of Another Someone RashDash returned to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year with their new piece Scary Gorgeous, which tells a story about being young, female and living in a world saturated with ‘raunch’ culture and pornography. Scary Gorgeous was created as a collaboration between RashDash and Brighton based psychedelic pop trio Not Now Bernard, fusing together live music, storytelling and passionate physicality. The show was co-commissioned by The Development Lab and Hull Truck Theatre.

During a quick catch up with the girls this afternoon Helen stated, ”We’re surprised, elated and amazed. This has been such a challenging show to make and we’re delighted it’s been so well received. We’re excited about what’s next.”

Scary Gorgeous will finish its hugely successful run at Bedlam Theatre tomorrow and will be available for touring during Spring 2012.  For more information about the company please contact Phil at, phil@departsltd.com

 

Phil on Tour

by Rachael on August 10th, 2011
Balbir Singh Dance Company,Dep Arts News,Rashdash

Back from the opening week of the Fringe festival and the frolics are in full force! Over 800 shows to choose from and the mile is packed like I have never seen it before. Once I got to the Fringe I checked in with both the Dep Arts companies Balbir Singh Dance company and RashDash Theatre, who both received some great reviews from their press nights and are all set to start the Fringe with a bang!

Whilst in Edinburgh it’s always good for me to see what new dance works are out and about, so 15 shows in 30 hours is a pretty good hit!

I can thoroughly recommended  Falling man/Decreasing Infinity. I have to admit when I first read about this piece by Thomas Small, I had some reservations concerning the concept, however I am willing to eat my own words and say ‘WOW’, what a classy and well executed piece of work. This piece was followed by Balbir Singh Dance Company with an extremely contrasting duet, the contrast in the works compliment each other and this is a must see Double Bill.  Whilst at Dance Base I can also recommend a highly entertaining Solo by Arnica 9CH, which was extremely funny with a great message about dancers and the damage that dancing can do to the body.

I was again amazed at RashDash and how drastically the piece has grown, having seen 2 scratch performances of the work I was set to see a more polished version, however it was almost like watching a new show. This is a fantastic piece of theatre which made me question, as to what level people will go to for fun! The girls have defiantly hit the jackpot with the band, Not Now Bernard and I would recommend this piece to anyone!

I loved my time at the Fringe and will be returning for some of the British Council week, to see more shows and to ensure the smooth running of Company Chameleon’s performances at Dance Base.  Watch my twitter page for tweets on must see shows and reviews for Dep Arts companies.

Dep Arts Autumn Tours

by Fiona on July 21st, 2011
Company Chameleon,Dep Arts News,Phoenix Dance Theatre,Rashdash

‘Rites’ – Company Chameleon

The Dep Arts team are questioning where the time has gone with just a week until our brand new website goes live and July drawing quickly to an end. That can only mean one thing – Edinburgh Fringe Festival is approaching! Watch out for our Edinburgh newsletter coming out soon detailing our brilliant companies taking shows there this year.
After the excitement of the summer we go straight into our autumn shows where four of our companies – Company Chameleon, Darshan Singh Bhuller, Phoenix Dance Theatre and Retina – will be touring the UK.

Company Chameleon will be premiering their new show Gameshow in Manchester and Leeds after developing the piece at the Choreodrome in London before embarking on a UK tour with Kith/Kin.

Kith/Kin consists of two parts – Before Night Fell and Rites. Rites was the first major work from Chameleon, making use of the personal and shared histories of Missen and Turner, whilst investigating those rites of passage shared by men in a more universal context. Before Night Fell choreographed by Beth Cassani is an exploration of male identity, friendship, camaraderie and bravery whilst together they develop concepts of physical risk, game structures, intimacy, vulnerability, power and manipulation.

Phoenix Dance Theatre are touring a mixed bill of Declarations and Reflected both of which contain four short and varied works combining to make a spectacular show. The autumn tour is also the start of a year of celebrating 30 years of Phoenix Dance Theatre and the third tour under Artistic Director, Sharon Watson. Both shows made great impressions on their last tour and are set to impress across the UK this autumn.

'Declarations' - Phoenix Dance Theatre

'Declarations' - Phoenix Dance Theatre

Darshan Singh Bhuller will be touring with the brand new Caravaggio: Exile and Death – dance theatre inspired by the life and work of the 17th century master painter. Exile and Death takes the audience on a journey of a man’s search for forgiveness and redemption after a life fascinated with youth and sexuality, violence, solitude and love. Scarred by imprisonment and the Catholic Church’s dismissal of his works, Caravaggio lived a painful and dramatic life. Combining highly physical choreography with stunning lighting design and projections and a beautiful soundtrack, Darshan has created a show that tells the story of Caravaggio’s life and art.

'Caravaggio - Exile and Death' - Darshan Singh Bhuller

'Caravaggio - Exile and Death' - Darshan Singh Bhuller

Retina’s Layers of Skin unites their skills in creating artistic touring productions as well as leading large-scale participatory projects. Retina has firmly established itself as a company that produces high quality performances as well as a company that enables other dancers, either professional or community, to excel in process and performance. Artistic Director Filip Van Huffel has a unique ability to encourage individuals to move confidently and creatively and Layers of Skin will maximise his strengths.

'Layers of Skin' - Retina

'Layers of Skin' - Retina

Keep an eye out in the next week for the launch of our beautiful new website and keep checking back here for all news and updates on the Dep Arts team and our clients.

Edinburgh, here we come!

by Fiona on June 9th, 2011
Balbir Singh Dance Company,Company Chameleon,Edinburgh Fringe Festival,Rashdash
Welcome to the Dep Arts’ new blog, we will be blogging furiously up until the launch of our shiny new website in order to keep you updated with all the exciting things happening in the Dep Arts office and with Dep’s artists and companies.

Dep is happy to announce that the Edinburgh Fringe Festival brochure has just been launched, featuring two of our artists, RashDash and Balbir Singh Dance Company.

RashDash are making a triumphant return to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival after winning last years Fringe First award with Another Someone. Their new show Scary Gorgeous focuses on sex, sexiness and love, using a dual narrative, which explores the boundaries between female empowerment and pornography. Scary Gorgeous is a must see show, interwoven with movement, live music from Not Now Bernard, singing and text. This show will set your toes tapping and your mind whirring, not to be missed!

'Decreasing Infinity' - Balbir Singh Dance Company

'Decreasing Infinity' - Balbir Singh Dance Company

Balbir Singh Dance Company will make their Edinburgh Fringe Festival début at Dance Base, fresh from their sell out run at the Dublin Dance Festival, with Decreasing Infinity.

Balbir Singh Dance Company create captivating and dynamic dance through a synthesis of Kathak – classical North Indian and contemporary dance accompanied by live music.

Decreasing Infinity created by choreographer Balbir Singh, shows how two different forms of dance influence each other, starting in their purest form seen through abstract mirrors they are attracted to each other and slowly influenced until they collide at which point neither style of dance exists but something new…

Dep are also busy finalizing details for a special appearance at the Fringe by Company Chameleon who will perform an exert of Rites and their fantastic outdoor piece Before Night Fell, keep checking the blog for more information about this one off double bill.

For more information about RashDash, Balbir Singh Dance Company, Company Chameleon and any or our other artists, take a look at our current website or get in touch with us at admin@departsltd.com

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