Darshan Singh Bhuller to create new Rambert-Lowry Commission
Rambert Dance Company and The Lowry, Salford are delighted to announce that acclaimed choreographer Darshan Singh Bhuller will create a new work to mark 30 years since the death of artist LS Lowry.
LS Lowry – one of the most popular and iconic British artists of the 20th Century – died on 23 February 1976. The Lowry, which shows his paintings and drawings alongside contemporary artists, has commissioned Rambert Dance Company to help mark the anniversary year in an innovative way. The collaboration is particularly fitting as Lowry loved the ballet and saw Rambert perform in the 1960s. This new work receives its world première at The Lowry on Wednesday 27 September 2006, before touring the UK as part of Rambert’s autumn 2006 repertoire.
This exciting new project is a highlight of The Lowry’s artistic programme for 2006 and one of Rambert’s major 80th anniversary commissions. It will be Darshan’s first choreographic project since his retirement as Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre in May 2006. Rambert’s Artistic Director Mark Baldwin, who chose Darshan for the project, commented: “I am thrilled that Darshan is doing this commission. His skill as a choreographer and his ability to work with dancers of a significant calibre make him ideal for this inspired project. I hope that we will gain an appealing piece for a wide ranging audience – something that everyone can enjoy, providing a means to introduce new audiences to the pleasures of Lowry and dance.”
Darshan Singh Bhuller, whose well-established and celebrated dance career has most recently flourished through the artistic direction of Leeds-based Phoenix Dance Theatre, will work closely with Rambert and The Lowry’s artistic team, to develop a piece of work that embodies LS Lowry’s art and world view. During these early stages of research, Darshan observed: “Lowry’s use of white and negative space creates a feeling of isolation. It could be said that the white suppresses the colour, just as the figures are suppressed by their industrial landscape. It is also interesting the way that Lowry occasionally painted on top of his other canvases as he changed his mind; the result being almost like a memory.”
Darshan has created and directed works for a number of British and international companies including London Contemporary Dance Theatre, CandoCo, Nordic Dance Theatre, CeDeCe, Companhia de Bailado Contemporaneo (Portugal) and most recently Phoenix Dance Theatre. His own company, Singh Productions toured to critical acclaim with Planted Seeds and Recall and in 2000, Darshan created Sita, a duet for Irek Mukhamedov and Company.
Darshan worked alongside Director Micha Bergese to choreograph and direct the Opening Ceremony of the Millennium Dome. He was Assistant Director and Choreographer for Shaolin Wheel of Life, an international production with the masters of Kung Fu, which continues to tour worldwide. The Lowry in Salford is a unique venue for visual and performing arts, presenting a dynamic and award-winning programme in both its galleries and theatres. Artistic Director Robert Robson commented “We’re keen on creating artistic links between the visual and performing arts, so we were delighted when Rambert were so enthusiastic about the commission. We're thrilled that Darshan will be the choreographer for this exciting piece. His work has been very strong over the years and well received at The Lowry in recent times. We believe he has a real affinity with LS Lowry – the artist's life and work.”
Rambert Dance Company is the UK’s longest established dance company, celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2006. Since Rambert’s first tour to Manchester in 1931 – its first outside of London – the Company’s relationship with the region has been particularly important. Now a Partner Company of The Lowry, this collaboration will enable both parties to develop their partnership, offering increased creative input and stronger bonds with the theatre and its audiences.
Media Enquiries For more information about Rambert Dance Company, please contact Francesca Eyles, Press and Media Officer on 020 8630 0612 or e-mail fe@rambert.org.uk
Press releases and images can also be found on Rambert’s website www.rambert.org.uk Go to: In the Business / Press / Username: 1press / Password: folder
For more information about The Lowry, please contact Michelle Bowey, Media Relations Manager, on 0161 876 2037 or e-mail michelle@thelowry.com
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Notes to Editors
RAMBERT DANCE COMPANY is the oldest dance company in Britain, having been established in 1926 by Polish dance teacher Marie Rambert and celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2006. It is also Britain’s flagship modern dance company, employing 22 dancers. Under its Artistic Director Mark Baldwin, Rambert Dance Company tours throughout the United Kingdom and internationally with a wide spectrum of large-scale repertoire, including both new commissions and works from the Company’s heritage. Rambert Dance Company performs to over 52,000 people each year and reaches over 6,000 individuals through its extensive education programme.
THE LOWRY
Set in a magnificent waterside location at the heart of Manchester’s thrilling new leisure destination, The Quays, The Lowry is an architectural flagship bringing together a wide variety of performing and visual arts under one roof. The Lowry is a waterfront home for the arts, entertainment and innovation. Free to enter and open all day, every day, The Lowry is there to be discovered, explored and enjoyed by everyone. Donations are encouraged to support the Galleries and the care of the LS Lowry Collection. The Lowry arts complex is located just 1.5 miles from Manchester city centre (linked via the Metrolink tram system), less than a mile from the M602, connecting it with the national motorway system and just 20 minutes drive from Manchester Airport.
LS Lowry
Laurence Stephen Lowry was born in Manchester in 1887. In his late years he became a popular celebrity and was also preoccupied about whether his art would last. “Will I live?” he asked over and over again. In the year before he died, he was given an Honorary Doctorate by both the University of Salford and the University of Liverpool. He died in his 88th year on 23rd February, 1976 at Woods Hospital, Glossop, just months before a retrospective exhibition opened at the Royal Academy. It broke all attendance records for a twentieth century artist.
The Lowry,
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M50 3AZ
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Posted on Wednesday, 22 February 2006 under Press Theatre Press