2019 Programme:​

"MASTICATION" by PAUL SCOTT BULLEN

Created and Performed by:
​Paul Scott Bullen
My experience of death and the associated suffering have been the inspiration for the creation of this new confessional multidisciplinary performance art solo. My idea explores the way in which death, it's aftermath, and the grieving process has a deeply traumatic effect and can result in a range of behavioural tendencies stemming from the resulting trauma.
Through a grotesque idiosyncratic movement language, lighting, costume, and mask, I vent the pain I have suffered and express the darkness I have encountered. Through a live soundscape my body becomes an expressive, communicative vessel by channeling deep internal energy from the archives of my personal experiences in an autobiographical 'act of contrition'. ​

ABOUT

My interests lie within my internal and external exploration, investigating true embodiment into becoming something other than myself or finding my true self through a psychophysical conceptual approach.
Making art for me is a therapeutic ‘act of contrition.’I investigate the archives of my body and soul to find deeply embedded energy as a source for creating material. I have discovered an autobiographical approach to dancing my deepest darkness.

Jennifer scott dance company

Photo: Chantal Guevara 
Artistic Director:
Jennifer Taggart (Scott)

Dancers
Heather Gibson
Sophie Sheridan
Chelsea Cunningham,
Jennifer Taggart
Katherine Whale

"23:37"

Days. Hours. Minutes. Seconds. How we feel about time depends on how we are spending it. Are you having a good time?
Dancers – Heather Gibson, Sophie Sheridan

"Corp"

Focussing on human strain within the work place; where the load can become so much that having or trying to maintain a healthy work life balance is near impossible. Where one task ends and another four are looming - the effort needed is constant. The body and mind however cannot always cope with being over burdened...
Dancers – Chelsea Cunningham, Jennifer Taggart, Katherine Whale

ABOUT

Jennifer is a choreographer, dancer and teacher After successfully completing her training and gaining her BA Honours Degree from the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance (The Space) she has been performing across the UK as well as choreographing work under the name of Jennifer Scott Dance. Her work has been performed in venues and festivals across the UK including Theatre Royal Glasgow, Edinburgh Fringe Festival with Bark Productions, Innovations Platform- Chester, Circulate and supporting company Fertile Ground, Newcastle. Jennifer also works within the community teaching children ages 2-17 as well as adults. Her most recent duet work has received funding from The Peter Darrell Trust.

ROWENA GANDER

Created and Performed by:
Rowena Gander

"Object (Auto) Biography"

Object (Auto) Biography is thought provoking dance work that untangles some of the complex themes found in pole dance discourse. Themes include objectification, empowerment and male gaze. Although static in parts, this work is extremely physically demanding and powerfully represents the strength of a woman. Moreover, it challenges the aesthetic stylization of both contemporary dance and pole dance, molding into a new form that is activated by the object that I share the space with. Throughout I experiment with a hidden or exposed display of my body by foregrounding my individual interpretation and experience of pole dance practice. This invites audiences to remove and reconsider preconceived notions of the female who dances with the pole.

"TEN INCH HEELS"

​This performance work interrogates the extrinsic value of a sexualised and exaggerated femininity, questioning how engagement with high heels can either promote or dissolve female subordination.

ABOUT

Rowena is an international solo dance artist  based in Liverpool. Her work specialises in contemporary dance and pole dance. Her practice is often stimulated by themes that surround the binary of empowerment and objectification in relation to the female body. Her Solo work Object (Auto) Bigoraphy was shown in January 2019 as part of Resolutions at The Place, London. 

Ascension Dance Company

Created and Performed by:
​Ben Morley and Ashley Jordan

"MALES ♂♂"

‘Males ♂♂’ is a dance piece about two male friends. It looks at masculinity, sensitivity, friendship and race relationships in a time where the UK seems to be is becoming more and more divided. ‘Males  ♂♂’  tackles the ideas of being a man and the topics of expressing emotions. It looks at touch, sensitivity, support and embraces whilst physically challenging the connotations that come with hugging, touching or connection on a delicate level. When can a man be sensitive? Is showing your emotions a declaration of weakness?

"BEAT"

​Meet Ben, who has left online dating at home and chosen the old fashioned method of putting yourself out there. From the first drink to the first date, has Ben found the true connection, a connection between two people that transcends all technology?
Following the beat of his heart, follow Ben's story as he looks for 'the one'.

ABOUT

Ascension Dance Company, founded by Ashley Jordan (MA/BA Dance) and Ben Morley (BA Dance and Coventry & Warwickshire 'Rising Star' 2016), is a dance company based in Coventry that looks to make highly physical work that tackles relationships between humans as well as the world that surround us. 

Ethos
"Ascension Dance produces work that unifies contemporary dance and a raw physicality to create visceral and striking visual illustrations. With a keen focus on human interactions and relationships, Ascension Dance pushes the boundaries of communication through high-velocity physical encounters, which soar, slide and crash in the pursuit of unravelling what it means to connect with the places and humans around us."

AJ Dance Company

Image: BRIAN SLATER
Artistic Director: 
Anna James

"How I am here."

This piece explores the performers’ journeys and experiences that have developed them into who they are today. The piece consists of both solo and duet material creating connections between the dancers. The music has variation and includes voice overs. 
Insecurities are shown through movement and choreographic vocabulary. The abstract movements are intriguing to watch and connect with. The piece begins soft, subtle and slow and builds into a fast explosive piece which then combines to both to show the light in shade in their lives. 

"But found gaps inside the places that she'd never fully been"

​This piece explores themes from the poem 'Let me tell the tale' by Erin Hanson. We created the piece in 4 hours to resemble the presence of rush and pressure that we felt was portrayed within the poem and wanted to get our initial reactions and not 'think too much' about the different tasks and concepts however there is room to develop the material and spatial patterns that were created. The piece explores the individual feelings relating to moving forward whether that’s career or personal life. The continuation of the same routine to get by but not realising the possible occurrences and the realisation that if you only look up or are actually present in those moments that could change a whole lot. 

ABOUT

Artistic Director Anna James is a graduate from the Dance Performance and Teaching course at UCLan where she gained a 1st class honours degree. Her work is currently freelancing within schools and communities whilst creating innovative pieces. She is the current youth Dance intern for The Lowry and North West Dance, developing my skills within the scecor.
​AJDance Company aims to empower groups and individuals through dance.