Russell Maliphant Company were in Salford during their UK regional tour last week with a performance at The Lowry of their brand new show Conceal |Reveal.

Conceal |Reveal, which consists of both new and classic work including a brand new quintet and a solo for Dana Fouras, alongside the renowned Broken Fall, went down exceptionally well at The Lowry – proving the proof really is in the pudding. Not only was the dancing astounding, but accompanied by music composed by Mukul and Barry Adamson and costumes designed by Stevie Stewart, this show is not to be missed.

Don’t believe us? Find out yourself – click here and see when Conceal |Reveal will be performed near you.

Breakin’ Convention continued it’s US tour with a weekend long festival at Harlem’s Apollo Theater, NYC. It was a very special night for Breakin’ Convention and there was an electric atmosphere in the air with Breakin’ Convention’s artists stepping on a stage that has birthed so much African-American talent from jazz to soul to funk through to hip hop, including Aretha Franklin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Marvin Gaye – to name a few.

The evening was a huge success and New York Times published a very complimentary review. This review spoke of the ‘blasting energy’, ‘electrifying footwork’, ‘daredevil plunges’, ‘terrific synchronicity’, as well as many other facets that makes Breakin’ Convention. The review ends by hoping that Breakin’ Convention becomes as established as it is in London in New York, and therefore able to showcase all the different types of hip-hop that occur internationally.

As Life in Progress progresses with its Asian tour the company have travelled from Taiwan to Beijing and Singapore performing to enraptured and sold out audiences before their final show in Shanghai this weekend. And it’s clear to see Shanghai are excited to have them, with their Time Out picking ‘Life in Progress’ as the critics’ choice for the upcoming Shanghai China Arts Festival. You can read the full article here. And why wouldn’t they be? When you read reviews like this and this from Singapore it’s clear that Life in Progress it’s a totally unmissable success.

Pictured above are the three technicians, Zeynep Kepekli, Nick Rundall, and John Maddox at The Great Wall of China.

Breakin’ Convention has made its debut in Charlotte, North Carolina as part of its international tour. It was the first time the festival had been there but the team was immediately made to feel super welcome by the Americans who embraced the show completely, which included performances from both local and international stars, lino outside the theatre for the audience to break on, cyphers in the foyer, food-trucks, spray paint for graf, and a whole lot of hip hop.

You can read some very positive reviews here and here. Next stop: The Apollo in Harlem.

Pictured above is Breakin’ Convention’s Host and Artistic Director Jonzi D posing for pictures with fans. Photo credit: Lucy White

Life in Progress began its Asia tour at the weekend with two performances in Taipei National Theatre.

In the run up to the performance Sylvie appeared on Taiwanese television. Both here, and in interviews she spoke about her connection to Taipei: despite first visiting it late in her career it only felt right to Sylvie to visit Taipei on her farewell tour to say goodbye to the Taiwanese people. You can watch an excerpt of Sylvie on Taiwanese TV here, where she receives a painting by Taiwan’s famous painter Kiran, which depicts a little girl dancing.

Last week saw Sylvie’s last ever performance in her home country France with four performances in a ram-packed Théâtre des Champs-Elysées. These came to an emotional climax on the last night when the audience gave Life in Progress a twenty-one minute standing ovation. Coincidentally, this is the same length of time as ‘Bye’ – the last piece in the show. During the standing ovation Sylvie was joined on stage by Claude Bessy (Sylvie’s past ballet teacher), Nicolas La Riche, and Guillaume Gallienne. You can see an excerpt of this here.

Next up for Life in Progress is the Asia tour, where it will be performed in Taipei, Beijing, Singapore, and Shanghai. For further information click here or check the blog and read about it here.

Last week Sylvie Guillem said ‘bye’ to the UK as Birmingham Hippodrome hosted her last ever UK performance. Although Life in Progress will continue its international tour until the end of December, all the UK destinations have now been visited (Previously: Sadler’s Wells, London Coliseum, Edinburgh International Festival).

The audience was spellbound by the entire performance and the standing ovation continued for over five minutes with members of the audience in the stalls throwing rose after rose at Sylvie on the stage. And who could blame them, with The Daily Telegraph saying: “What a bittersweet privilege it is to see her go, and how very smart of her it is to leave us while we all still want so very much more.”

For more information on Sylvie’s next touring locations click here.

Breakin’ Convention has been awarded over £500,000 in a ginormous funding boost by Arts Council England. This money comes as part of its Strategic Touring Programme and will go towards both professional development and more importantly extra touring.

The money will mark the start of a two year project that will allow Breakin’ Convention to tour nationally through both May 2016 and May 2017.

Breakin’ Conventions Artistic Director Jonzi D said that the money shows Arts Council England’s ‘commitment to the creative phenomenon that is hip hop culture, at time a time when peace, love, unity, and fun is much needed.’

For tour dates and information on the line-up click here.

Preparations for Gravity Fatigue are well and truly in swing now. The creatives and performers are hard at work rehearsing in a range of top secret locations in London ready for the big premiere at Sadler’s Wells on 28 October, followed by three more performances on 29, 30, and 31 October. To book tickets for the Sadler’s Wells shows click here.

The iconic fashion designer is working with award-winning choreographer Damien Jalet and thirteen highly talented and skilled contemporary dancers to conjure up a show of immense visual creativity and dazzling designs that take their inspiration from themes of identity, displacement, and the disconnection we experience in public spaces at moments of transition.

Last week Life in Progress was at London Coliseum for six performances over the week. These performances were particularly special as they marked the last time Sylvie will ever dance in London.

But don’t freak out if you missed them as now Life in Progress is in Edinburgh, and if you haven’t got tickets for that? How about Birmingham Hippodrome in September? For a full list of touring venues click here.