The Place is stripping back the Robin Howard Dance Theatre to its bare wooden floor for the return of Touch Wood, a season of works in progress.
Touch Wood invites 40 leading dance artists to test their latest choreographic ideas – speculative research, physical impulses or short works – in front of a theatre audience for the first time, in a flexible but basic performance space. As the season, which runs from 12 September to 3 October, will feature many works still currently under development in the studio, the programme for each performance will only be finalised at the last possible moment, a few days (or perhaps hours) in advance. It is certain to be one of the least predictable dance events this autumn.
Work from both emerging and established choreographers is expected, including confirmed artists Luca Silvestrini, Colin Poole & Simon Ellis, Zoi Dimitriou, Laila Diallo, Mayuri Boonham, Victoria Fox, Robin Dingemans, Donald Hutera, Robert Hylton, Gabriele Reuter, Dam Van Huynh, Fred Gehrig & Aletta Collins, Tom Dale and Adam Linder, winner of The Place Prize 2008. Offering audiences an exclusive first taste of their latest work, the contributors will include promising artists from 2009’s Resolution! and Spring Loaded seasons. The performances will be complemented with post-show responses from artists including musicians Max Eastley, Steve Beresford and Al Doyle of Hot Chip.
Many of the choreographers who have participated in this year’s Choreodrome are expected to contribute to Touch Wood. Choreodrome is The Place’s biennial programme of research and development, whereby forty selected dance artists are offered free studio space and resources for the summer. Free from the pressure of having to deliver an end product for conventional performance, Choreodrome allows choreographers valuable time and the space to uncover new artistic territory.
Touch Wood and Choreodrome are examples of The Place’s ongoing commitment to the creation of new dance works and the development of artists. These programmes offer invaluable support and the nurturing of dance artists in the progression of their careers, providing resources for research and networking, space for rehearsal and platforms for performance.
Announcements of updated programmes for individual performances in Touch Wood will be made on this website. Audiences will also be able to register for email or SMS updates about the evolving programme and text feedback following the performances.
For additional information, please contact Richard Thompson, Marketing Manager at The Place, on 020 7121 1023 or