The Works

The Works is an opportunity for artists to present their work in development. The particular focus is cross-artform and interdisciplinary exploration across theatre, dance and music.

At the heart of The Works is a dialogue between artists and audiences. It is an opportunity for artists to seek the opinions of the audience they wish to attract, and an opportunity for people who care about performance to engage in collective dramaturgy, supporting artists to envisage the choices and possibilities available to them.

Dramaturg Lou Cope will be the host and facilitator for the evening, presenting 10-15 minute excerpts by the artists below.

Justine Reeve and Company - Smacks of naff
Smacks of naff explores an alternate universe where trite, dull and safe is the only thing that is truly revered in the dance world. Each section is a ‘smack’, a quick look at something before it comes too interesting. We discover several serial choreographers that have been prudent with the dreary and unexciting as they talk us through their work both live and on film. It is a satirical look at a choreographer’s processes, principles and performances drawing heavily from Justine’s deep affection for dance.

Music - Paul Sandrone
Dramaturgic mentor - Graham Duff
Performers on film – Vix Fox, Clive Reeve, Bournemouth University Dance under graduates
Film and edits – Justine Reeve
Solo Live performance - Justine Reeve

Daniel Hills - This Is not an egg
This is not an egg is a task based exploration surrounding the idea of choice, using live performance in a DIY aesthetic. This is not an egg looks at the subconscious and how making a choice is never an easy option. This is not an egg is a darkly comic, un-nerving performance that plays on the control of audience and performer, taking the audience on an exploration of a lost individual in a world where we must make the right choices in order to be accepted into society.

This performance aims to explore the stigmas surrounding homosexuality and the idea of choice. Using research into aversion therapy and the stories surrounding choice within popular culture, Daniel aims to create a performance that questions the taboo of ‘choosing’ to be something that ultimately you can’t change.

Mella Faye Punchard – Medea An Electronica Musical
Set in 1988, this 'work in progress' adaptation of the greek myth is told through live Electronica and a driving script.

Flipping convention on its head, the musicians are live and the actors pre-recorded. Medea straddles these two worlds, as domestic bliss unravels into brutal tragedy.

Live Cast/Musicians:
Mella Faye
Alex Stanford
Sam Cox

Pre-recorded Cast:
Toby Park
George Williams
Emma Edwards
Oliver Harrison
Reece Pockney
Stanley Warbrick