Richard Alston, Artistic Director of The Place and founder of Richard Alston Dance Company, has been awarded the De Valois Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance at the ninth annual Critics' Circle National Dance Awards.

The Richard Alston Dance Company’s 2009 appearances at The Lowry will include two of Alston’s most exhilarating works….

Blow Over (2008) is performed to Philip Glass’s propulsive Songs from Liquid Days. This isn’t Glass in cool, serene mood – this is music of mesmerizing accumulative power, and the dancers have to fly to keep up, in great leaping arcs of energy. Blow Over was greeted by standing ovations and 5-star reviews at its recent world prèmiere.

Also in the programme, a revival of Alston’s iconic Movements from Petrushka (1994), to Stravinsky’s own piano arrangement of his music - played live on stage by the virtuoso pianist Jason Ridgway.

A new work from Martin Lawrance, who’s Body & Soul was so well received by Lowry audience members on RADC’s last visit, completes the mixed bill. Lawrance’s new piece will be made to two of Bach’s enduringly popular Brandenburg Concertos, Nos 2 & 3.

Visit our gallery of stills from the show.



‘The finest choreographer the British modern-dance scene has ever known...Mr Alston’s extraordinarily subtle response to music old and new often recalls George Balanchine’s repertory.’ The New York Times on Blow Over

‘Remarkable - visionary, anguished, transcendent and raw.’ The Guardian on Movements from Petrushka


Sat 7 March
Richard Alston Open Workshop
Led by experienced dance artists and accompanied by live music, take part in a contemporary warm-up and learn some of the inspiring choreography that will be performed at the theatre.
Suitable for intermediate levels aged 14+.
Capacity 30
Times 3pm – 4.30pm 14+
Tickets £10 (£8 Salford residents)
The Studio

Sat 7 March
Richard Alston Youth Workshop
Led by experienced dance artists and accompanied by live music, you will learn repertoire and get a flavour of the technical and choreographic style of Richard Alston.
Suitable for intermediate levels aged 12+ with some dance experience.
Capacity 30
Times 1pm – 2.30pm
Tickets £10 (£8 Salford residents)
The Studio

Tue 10 March
Richard Alston Pre Show Talk
Capacity 40
Times 6.30pm – 7pm
Free to ticket holders but must be booked in advance.
The Studio

Express Yourself in The Lowry Galleries
Fri 10 April - Sun 27 September
Free Entry



Join your family and friends on the dance floor and launch yourself feet first into The Lowry’s first family dance exhibition.
Find out more here.