When Phoenix Dance Company was formed in 1981 in Leeds by David Hamilton, Donald Edwards and Vilmore James, the three young men probably had no idea that their company would go from strength to strength, and reach its 35th birthday. The company has since become one of the UK’s leading contemporary dance companies.
The men's passion for dance was sparked by the tuition they received at Harehills Middle School from their teacher Nadine Senior, who went on to found Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Since its founding, the now Phoenix Dance Theatre has become a key asset of contemporary dance in northern England, and it's three and a half decades have demonstrated the incredible reach and inspiration of its work.
Sharon Watson was appointed the 7th Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre in May 2009, and earlier this year Watson was also appointed as independent chair of the steering committee, bidding for European Capital of Culture Leeds 2023. Since she became Artistic Director of the company she has continued to highlight and reaffirm the company's values at the heart of everything it does, embodying the spirit of multicultural Britain.
In celebration of its milestone, the company will present a triple bill of dances which will open at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in February 2016, before touring around the UK. The anniversary tour will present a variety of pieces to inspire and entertain audiences, and will include two new commissions which will emphasises the diversity and different collaborations of the company. The pieces will explore concepts of enclosed spaces that exist in our minds - a co-commission with The Royal Ballet and Phoenix Dance Theatre - in addition to a work commemorating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death through sound, words and dance to reimagine his most mysterious sonnets.
Phoenix Dance Theatre turns 35
When Phoenix Dance Company was formed in 1981 in Leeds by David Hamilton, Donald Edwards and Vilmore James, the three young men probably had no idea that their company would go from strength to strength, and reach its 35th birthday. The company has since become one of the UK’s leading contemporary dance companies.
The men's passion for dance was sparked by the tuition they received at Harehills Middle School from their teacher Nadine Senior, who went on to found Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Since its founding, the now Phoenix Dance Theatre has become a key asset of contemporary dance in northern England, and it's three and a half decades have demonstrated the incredible reach and inspiration of its work.
Sharon Watson was appointed the 7th Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre in May 2009, and earlier this year Watson was also appointed as independent chair of the steering committee, bidding for European Capital of Culture Leeds 2023. Since she became Artistic Director of the company she has continued to highlight and reaffirm the company's values at the heart of everything it does, embodying the spirit of multicultural Britain.
In celebration of its milestone, the company will present a triple bill of dances which will open at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in February 2016, before touring around the UK. The anniversary tour will present a variety of pieces to inspire and entertain audiences, and will include two new commissions which will emphasises the diversity and different collaborations of the company. The pieces will explore concepts of enclosed spaces that exist in our minds - a co-commission with The Royal Ballet and Phoenix Dance Theatre - in addition to a work commemorating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death through sound, words and dance to reimagine his most mysterious sonnets.