Breathtaking performances, dazzlingly athleticism, lyrical movement, beautiful lighting and powerful music are the hallmarks of choreographer Joss Arnott’s work.
Next weekend Joss, one of the leading figures in British contemporary dance, will be premiering two new works at DanceEast on the Ipswich waterfront along with a re-working of an existing piece which is being revamped as a duet between a dancer and live musicians.
Joss says that the balance between powerful athleticism, dazzlingly virtuosity and lyrical, sensuous movement is difficult to achieve which is why the frequently contradictory combination remains a constant source of fascination to him.
He also relishes the opportunity to perform with live music and his last visit to DanceEast two years ago with Dame Evelyn Glennie has pushed him to incorporate more live music in his work.
“I love performing at DanceEast. I have kept in touch with everyone and I work with the students at their Centre for Advanced Training and they have co-commissioned the Triple Bill which we are presenting there next weekend.
“They have given us a lot of production and development time in the theatre, which is invaluable, and we are really grateful for the resources they have put at our disposal.”
Created in collaboration with the some of the industry’s foremost, award-winning dancers, composers and designers, Arnott’s new Triple Bill consists of two brand new dance works – A Movement in 3 and RUSH – alongside the company’s internationally award-winning solo V which will feature live music for the first time.
A Movement in 3 is set to an original score for piano and strings by composer Quinta. Exploring light and shadow, this collision of melody and dance creates a mysterious and dreamlike atmosphere enhanced by Yaron Abulafia’s lighting design.
RUSH captures the modern and athletic sense of power within what Joss describes as his ‘alpha’ female cast, through adrenaline-fuelled and gripping choreography.
Finally, V reveals the contrasting qualities of an extraordinary dancer, ranging from hypermobile movement to sensual and graceful subtle moves. This work reveals the interplay between dance and live music, against a solo viola composed by James Keane and ever-changing asymmetric lighting by Fabiana Piccioli.
Joss Arnott said: “I am excited about presenting two brand new works, ‘A Movement in 3’ - a trio production that resonates agility and serenity enhanced by an exquisite and mesmerising lighting design. ‘RUSH’ is completely different in nature. Infectiously energetic, this full company work will be ferocious, loud and creates a sense of empowerment through a rock and roll atmosphere.
“The solo work ‘V’ was created in 2014 and it was always an ambition of mine to tour this work with live music so it will be very special. I aim to excite audiences regardless of their dance ‘knowledge’ or experience, and give them a multi-sensory experience.
“I know that audiences love watching dance with live music and if you add in adventurous lighting design and then you have something really special.”
The programme will be a visually stunning and musically-led evening of dance that explodes with power and technical brilliance. Brendan Keaney, artistic director of DanceEast, said: “This is dance of the highest technical quality, designed to captivate its audience from beginning to end with cutting-edge collaborations and bold and exciting choreography.
“Arnott’s work is contemporary in nature, drawing on modern influences in dance, design and music, but the performance will also include influences from classical ballet, and many of the dancers are trained in both classical and contemporary styles, making it hugely accessible. It is a technical masterclass in performance.”
Joss said that he is captivated by the blurring of the lines between classical ballet and contemporary dance. “What I am doing is developing a stylistic brand of movement which comes from a classical/contemporary hybrid language and we recruit dancers from both backgrounds.”
Joss Arnott Dance company will perform at DanceEast’s Jerwood DanceHouse on Friday October 6 and Saturday 7, joined by DanceEast’s Centre for Advanced Training students for a unique curtain-raiser ahead of the Saturday show.
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