MOVING PEOPLE AND MAKING THEM THINK AVAILABLE FOR TOURING 2013/14/15 Photograph: Alastair Muir 'Admirably uncompromising' Donald Hutera, The Times Delivers moments of extraordinary intimacy Judith Mackrell, Guardian Beautiful, poignant and amusing' Ballet Dance Magazine Slick and stylish dance theatre gritty, gutsy humour London Dance Inching its way through airbrushed beauty, boob jobs and Botox, victim- blaming, slut- shaming the might of motherhood and he challenge of childlessness, Motherland is a funny and moving show about having it all. In Motherland, Vincent Dance Theatre s brilliant, multi- talented ensemble of men, women and children take a look at the gender they were born into and the price they are paying for it. Spurred on by the Spice Girls, Simone de Beauvoir and Caitlin Moran, Vincent goes into battle with the big boys, arguing against a narrow, over- sexualized definition of femininity to ask what it is that we really, really want. Uncompromising yet utterly accessible, Motherland has a broad appeal for both sexes through its potent blend of theatre and dance. Motherland is a call to arms: one that sticks two fingers up at the shallow hypocrisies and inequalities of our time and asks what do we hope for now? For press and audience reviews, photos, videos and past tour dates visit: www.motherland.org.uk
Photograph: Hugo Glendinning CREDITS Conceived, Directed and Designed by Charlotte Vincent Devised and Performed by Andrea Catania, Alex Catona, Robert Clark, Greig Cooke, Patrycja Kujawska, Aurora Lubos, Benita Oakley, Janusz Orlik, Scott Smith and Leah Yeger Music Alex Catona, Patrycja Kujawska, Scott Smith, Aurora Lubos, Leah Yeger, Charlotte Vincent Text Charlotte Vincent, Liz Aggiss and the Company Dramaturgy Ruth Ben Tovim Motherland is devised and performed by an accomplish, multi- tasking ensemble, aged 12 to 78, from Poland, Costa Rica, Romania, the United States and the UK, whose experience outside of VDT includes working with Kneehigh Theatre, Charles Linehan, Felix Ruckert, Sasha Waltz, Troika Ranch, Steve Paxton, Dance Theatre of Gdansk, Dada Von Bzdulow and Nigel Charnock. VDT s Professional cast is joined by Benita Oakley (age 78) and Leah Yeger (age 12). Vincent has assembled a collection multi- talented multinationals whose performances are full with equal parts of energy and heart. London Dance An excellent cast. Hugely talented & versatile, they play instruments, sing, dance & speak, & range in age from pre- teen to 70+ London Evening Standard Motherland is commissioned by South East Dance, Corn Exchange Newbury, The Point Eastleigh, Brighton Dome and Festival and Peak Performances at Montclair State University, USA.
THE COMPANY Photographs: Hugo Glendinning Artistic Director Charlotte Vincent is one of the UK s leading female choreographers, and her distinctive voice extends beyond dance into the wider cultural, political and social landscape as a curator, mentor, writer, mediator, provocateur, facilitator and catalyst for critical debate. Vincent Dance Theatre (VDT) works across disciplines to produce and tour collaboratively devised dance work that challenges conventional values in dance, theatre and gender politics. VDT s work tours nationally and internationally and is accompanied by an extensive programme of participatory and professional development activity. VDT also produces industry research, facilitates dance sector development projects, curates large- scale studio based research projects, mentors emerging artists and leads critical debates and symposiums around performance practice. Vincent s company has been creating provocative work since 94 and the latest packs a considerable wallop on behalf of sisterhood structured like a warped Alice in Wonderland, it is also blessed with a live musical accompaniment of spectacular depth and variety. The Stage AUDIENCE VDT has a 19 year track record of producing exceptional, provocative dance theatre, devised by a multinational, multi- tasking ensemble of committed and experienced performers at the cutting edge of contemporary practice in the UK. VDT s work is highly accessible to diverse audiences aged 14+ with differing experiences of dance and theatre. The work has high production values, features original live music and appeals to men and women of all ages with an interest in love performance. Bold. Eloquent. Assertive. I can guarantee you won t have seen anything like this before. Audience Review, Warwick Arts Centre
MOTHERLAND PARTICIPATION PROGRAMME VDT productions combine dance, theatre, text, song, visual art and live music to create a bold new language for live performance. VDT s participation programme offers practical residencies, workshops and classes, symposiums and debates, drop- in, socially engaging visual installations for foyer spaces and inclusive curtain raiser performance projects that run parallel to the tour and reflect the interdisciplinary approach to making work. VDT can adapt its programmes to a range of contexts and has considerable experience developing this work in partnership with venues to create bespoke and focused packages for audiences. VDT offers pre- show talks and post- show discussions using Liz Lerman s Critical Feedback Technique to ensure a high quality exchange between the artist and the general public. Working in partnership with venues VDT aims to: Attract a diverse audience and encourage attendance and participation by those who may not usually engage with contemporary dance or theatre Facilitate and encourage people of all ages and abilities to express themselves through artistic practice Raise awareness of social issues around gender, equality and sexuality in a playful way Share making skills and creative practice across generations Highlight and encourage women s creative practice and political strength THE TABLE The Table is a series of dialogue events, dinner meetings and online sharing between established and emerging female practitioners. Developed by Charlotte Vincent, working in partnership with Dr Claire Macdonald (founding member of Impact Theatre Co- operative), The Table develops, documents and disseminates work by and for established artists and offers opportunities for in depth, intellectual feminist exchange between the professional and academic contexts. Visit www.thetable.org.uk to find out more.
MOTHERLAND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS Motherland is suitable for middle- scale and larger small- scale theatre, dance and gallery venues with a minimum performance area of 10m x 8m with a sprung floor. A full tech spec is available on request. MOTHERLAND FEES Photograph: Hugo Glendinning Performance fees for Motherland will depend on number of shows programmed and the shape of the associated bespoke programme of curated events. Please contact VDT s Administrative Director Judith Hibberd to discuss the project. + 44 (0) 1273 911 616 / jude@vincentdt.com Vincent Dance Theatre Level 8 Unit C North New England House New England Street Brighton BN1 4GH www.vincentdt.com Vincent Dance Theatre is a National Portfolio Organisation, funded by Arts Council England. Charlotte Vincent is a Resident Artist at South East Dance. VDT is Associate Company at Brighton Dome. VDT and Yorkshire Dance are Artistic Partners.