Touring Scattered

Scattered tour is now well on the way and it has been a huge success. A big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has shown us support so far! Read below for Claire’s account of one of the exciting journeys the dancers have done so far…

We’ve recently come back from our latest adventure and what an adventure it was!

We performed at the Jersey Opera House, which is absolutely gorgeous and enjoyed a really warm and fantastic audience welcome there. The show went really well and I think we are all relaxing into the swing of it now. It feels like we are allowing ourselves to explore the relationships between each other on stage and find new moments within the tight structure.

It wasn’t all hard work though as we managed to squeeze in a 25 mile cycle ride round part of the island, a swim in the sea, lots of cake eating, a night out at the local rock bar and a few fabulous walks along the beach! I have totally fallen in love with Jersey and can’t wait to go back.

After having a very enjoyable few days off now and looking forward to visiting Lincoln Drill Hall and Aberystwyth Arts Centre in Wales this week. In Lincoln we have to make up a whole new section due to the fact that we can’t rig any flying because the theatre is too low.  Worked on some new lifts last week so it’ll be fine I’m sure…!

(and it did go well in Lincoln – first night sold out and nearly there with the second performance)

Scattered is ON!

Scattered, our 18th production, is now on tour.

After amazing two nights at Warwick Arts Centre we have already visited The Castle in Wellingborough and the next performance takes place at Taliesin Arts Centre in Swansea. The feedback from audiences and venues alike has been really positive and supportive.

If you haven’t got yours yet, download our tour flyer from here and see when we’ll be at a venue near you.

Read The Times review of Scattered.

Motionhouse at Fira Tàrrega

In addition to seeing some great performances, Fira Tàrrega is an opportunity for companies to present their art and for promoters to see new work. This year Motionhouse participated with Underground in the performance arena and a stall at the fair. Jo Valentine, our Programme Manager, travelled to Spain with the company. Read below about her experience.

Occasionally they let me out of the office – it’s good to be with the company on the road and see the festivals from their point of view. It’s all very well sitting at a computer and plotting a tour but seeing how it really is for the dancers helps me enormously and reminds me it’s not all glamour for them (even though it might seem like that for those of us left behind in Leamington Spa)!

Fira Tàrrega takes place every year in a normally quiet Spanish town not far from Barcelona; it’s a famous showcase festival where promoters from across the world go to watch new work with a view to booking companies for their own festivals and the place is besieged by tens of thousands of Spaniards ready to party.

It’s no mean feat getting an invitation to perform there, so we had to make sure we made the most of it. It’s fair to say that all of us there were blown away by the experience – performing under hot blue skies to thousands of people was such a buzz, even for those of us just watching. Underground received a fantastic response from audience and promoters alike, so roll on next summer’s European tour … but for now, heads down as we all focus on Scattered which opens very, very soon!

Kevin and some of the dancers at the Motionhouse stall.

A journey to Spain

Kevin and the dancers just spend some time in Spain, which left some of us in the office a little bit jealous… However, it wasn’t just a holiday, though the lucky ones did get some time on the beach.

After driving all the way through France the company first visited Logela in Elorrio, where they filmed material for Scattered. From there they travelled to Tàrrega, where Underground was performed at the Fira Tàrrega.

Read below for Claire’s account of what sounds like a fantastic week!

Just got back from the most fantastic week in Spain with the company. It was an amazing experience to be had by all, as we were lucky enough to make the trip to do filming in Elorrio with the Logela boys before travelling to Tàrrega to perform Underground at the festival there. Obviously we were working very hard so the day off at the beach was a real chore… i love my job!!

The Fira Tàrrega Festival was wicked. The accommodation was, shall we say, ‘cosy’ – basic bunk beds, five to a room and with my creaking bed and sleep talking I was not everybody’s favourite ‘roomy’ – sorry guys…

The actual performances were amazing and I feel really chuffed that we managed to perform in the main square to over six thousand people! Slightly unfortunate that half way through the second show Olivia decided to give Junior a bit of elbow action and with blood gushing down his face, it made for a very dramatic show. The last show was really electric and we all felt that the crowd was really with us. We had a massive applause and felt very humbled. As far as my own performing experiences go, i will remember that one forever.

Good times!

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE SCATTERED TRAILER!

Latest on Scattered

We might have been bit quiet recently, but everyone needs a break sometimes.

The company has abandoned the warehouse in Warwick temporarily and moved to Playbox Theatre in Warwick to rehearse. We will also host a preview of the show for our peers working in the arts next week. We are all looking forward to seeing how the show has developed since the last time we saw it. Read below for Alasdair’s thoughts about rehearsing Scattered.

Scattered premiere at Warwick Arts Centre is only a month away, and needless to say everyone at Motionhouse is busy-busy-busy! In addition to the Coventry performance Scattered visits Wellingborough, Swansea, Jersey, Lincoln, Aberystwyth, Winchester, Blackpool, Huddersfield, Bridlington and London this autumn. For further tour details, including links to all venues, go to our website.

Other exciting news is that Motionhouse and our project Crow has been shortlisted for the Artists taking the lead commission in West Midlands. Artists taking the lead is part of London 2012’s Cultural Olympiad and challenged artists across the UK to submit ideas for works of art to celebrate 2012. You can read more on our website News page.

But now, here goes Ally:

Working at Playbox Theatre is great. It’s wonderful to be in a theatre space at last. The work, Scattered, really comes alive with light and surround-sound, and our news projector is amazing: it makes the film so bright and colourful.

Us dancers are looking strong: even if I do say so myself! The piece is getting easier the more we run it. We have now completed the end section with the silks. We have all had to build up our hand strength to be able to grip on to the silks and hold our body-weight. Who knew that hand strength would be so important in contemporary dance!

We also have our official apprentices from Northern School of Contemporary Dance with us now: Fernando and Jenny. It’s great to have them with us and they bring a lot of new enthusiasm to the company.

Not long now until opening night! Still lots to do but currently we’re on target!

I guess I’ll see you somewhere along the road!
Ally

Scattered updates

We are busy preparing for the Scattered tour, starting at Warwick Arts Centre on 2 October. You can see the latest on Scattered on our website Touring page.

For a sneak preview of what it’s all about, go to Article19 where you can see a video preview, with interviews of Kevin Finnan and the dancers.

And don’t forget to join us in Facebook and Twitter.