Scottish Dance Theatre, UK, 2014

Scottish Dance Theatre is Scotland’s national contemporary dance company which was formed in 1986. Under the direction of choreographer Fleur Darkin, the company produces dance that is driven by artistic inquiry and a contemporary response to engaging audiences. Scottish Dance Theatre commissions accomplished choreographers from all over the world to put the dancing body at the centre of artistic innovation. The company collaborates with musicians, designers, theatre-makers and visual artists to produce dance of the highest quality.

The company tours throughout the UK and internationally, with recent tours to USA, China, India and many European countries. The company slides across scale, delivering performances in major world theatres to intimate rooms: wherever people are.

Scottish Dance Theatre dancers are exceptionally talented performers and are a personable, approachable team.

Many company dancers teach within the company and deliver education to diverse communities. Commitment to exploring dance pedagogy is nurtured within the company. The company is part of Dundee Repertory Theatre, where inclusivity, in all senses, is at the forefront of our shared mission.

Artistic Director: Fleur Darkin

Fleur Darkin joined Scottish Dance Theatre as Artistic Director in 2012. "One of the most overtly theatrical choreographers of the British new wave" (The Observer), Darkin's career has included choreographic stints at Laban, Royal Opera House, The Place and the 02. Former Associate Artist at Bristol Old Vic, Darkin's commissions include Jardin D’Europe, Linbury Trust, Jerwood, The Place Prize, Southbank Centre and Glasgow 2014. Fleur Darkin’s choreography has been described as ‘Tightly written dance’ (The Times), ‘Powerful and disturbing’ (The Stage), ‘Always inventive’ (Telegraph).

Internationally, Darkin’s artistic practice has been commissioned by partners including Junges Hundes (Germany), P.A.R.T.S. (Belgium) and Bolzano Danz (Italy). Darkin is a prolific collaborator and her theatre work includes Roam (Grid Iron), Playtime (West Yorkshire Playhouse), You Tell Us What Was (National Theatre of Scotland), Bint Jbeil (Grid Iron/National Theatre of Scotland), The Three Musketeers (Traverse/Belgrade), Virgins (Company of Angels) and various productions for venues including Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Dundee Repertory Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Liverpool's Everyman, Edinburgh Lyceum and Battersea Arts Centre.

Darkin’s large-scale projects include three Glastonbury Festivals, choreographing the world’s first ever science musical, Dr. Tatiana, (Channel 4/Discovery) and the 2006 commission Parabolic, which played to a live audience of 25,000. Circus productions include Helter Skelter (Tramway/Brewhouse), War and Peace (Giffords Circus) and her aerial choreography for Threesixty's Peter Pan - ("best of all" Benedict Nightingale – The Times) - was seen by audiences of over 300,000 on its two year global tour.

Darkin is a passionate advocate of innovative dance education and was at the helm of The Collaboratory -the UK's first peer-lead choreographic laboratory in 2012.

Program: What on Earth!?

Scottish Dance Theatre presents a wonderful work for children aged 5 – 11 and their parents. Combining dance theatre and animation What on Earth!? takes the audience on a curious nocturnal journey full of surprise encountered with strange flora and fauna. This dynamic and playful adventure, with generous helpings of music, dance and animated worlds, creates a brilliant experience for the whole family. Audiences are invited into a world of dreams about planet earth, where friendships are made and battles are won and lost.

Program: Winter, Again

Renowned Norwegian choreographer Jo Strømgren mixes beautifully poised dance with all means necessaryto tell the story of a community struggling to hide their dark misdemeanours under winter’s snowy blanket.
Punctuated with the devastatingly fragile songs of Schubert’s Eine Winterreise, Winter, Again takes theaudience on a journey through the cycle of the coldest, darkest season.

Review

"Quickly (had) the young audience in fits of laughter….the multicultural soundtrack alone is a pure joy."

- The Scotsman

"Bleakly comic and beautifully sensual."

- Sunday Herald

"Style and panache….vibrant, harmonious dance."

- Dancetabs