Rambert’s Artistic Director Mark Baldwin said ‘It will be such a buzz to be back in Bradford on the fabulous stage at the Alhambra. I am thrilled to present Ghost Dances, Rambert’s enduring masterwork, to move new generations of dancers and dance lovers. The whole programme showcases the extraordinary talents of our dance artists and musicians, such as in the Brazilian-inspired spectacle of A Linha Curva, accompanied by Rambert’s very own samba band. Speaking of amazing music, Ben Duke’s new piece sees him explore the psyche, songs and characters of the incomparable Nina Simone, both joyous diva and malcontent.’
Originally created for Rambert in 1981, Ghost Dances is Christopher Bruce’s response to political oppression in South America and has returned to the company’s repertory for the first time in 13 years. Ghost Dances depicts stories of love and compassion, as death – in the form of the iconic ‘ghost dancers’ – interrupts the daily lives of a series of ordinary people. Set to Latin American folk music arranged by Nicholas Mojsiejenko, Bruce created the choreography and set design, with Day of the Dead-inspired costumes by Belinda Scarlett and lighting design by Nick Chelton.
Award-winning choreographer and performer Ben Duke presents Goat his first work for Rambert, inspired by the music and spirit of Nina Simone with a selection of her best-loved songs performed live onstage. Duke’s work explores the overlap between dance and theatre; his most recent work, the critically acclaimed one-man-show Paradise Lost (lies unopened beside me), toured the UK from 2015-16, captivating crowds at the Edinburgh Festival and winning him the 2015 Critic’s Circle National Dance Award for Outstanding Male Performance.
The programme also features the revival of Itzik Galili’s percussion-fuelled A Linha Curva. Twenty-eight dancers from Rambert and the Rambert School and four percussionists will perform this high-octane, celebratory work based on Latin American Samba rhythms and movements. Nominated for Best Choreography prize in the 2009 Critic’s Circle National Dance Awards and Best New Dance Production in the 2010 Olivier Awards, A Linha Curva contributed to Rambert’s 2010 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance. Itzik Galili created both choreography and designs for the piece with an original score by Dutch percussion group Percossa.
