FROM OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR : VANHULLE DANCE THEATRE

FROM OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

VANHULLE DANCE THEATRE BRING DANCE & MARTIAL ARTS TO BELL SQUARE

Bell Square’s outdoor arts programme bounced back into Hounslow last week and is now with you every other Saturday through the rest of the year. There’s a different show each time but it’s always free and everybody’s welcome.

Next up on Saturday 20 May is Vanhulle Dance Theatre with their first visit to Bell Square. They will be performing their new show, Dovetail.

Vanhulle Dance Theatre

Vanhulle Dance Theatre is a contemporary dance company based in Cambridgeshire. The company was set up in 2014 by Laura Vanhulle, a Belgian dancer who had come to the UK to study and then stayed, performing in many well-known dance companies before starting her own. In 2020, she was joined by co-director, Oliver Russell, a similarly established professional dancer and together, they have developed the company to be a respected and influential presence in the UK dance sector.

But this company is not just dance. They combine it with other movement styles, especially martial arts, resulting in a very powerful physicality and athleticism. They also tell strong stories, making their shows exciting and unique.

When they perform at Bell Square, you will see clearly the influence of martial arts in their dance movement. They are driven by a deep and philosophical understanding of the body, the connection to breath, and the balance and relationship between performers.

Both Laura and Oliver study the classical Korean martial art, Tang Soo Do. Both represent Great Britain and have won an array of medals in national and World Championships. Between them, they also bring highly developed skills in Capoeira, Kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu and Taekwondo into their dance performance. When away from the stage, Oliver also works as an action performer and in screen combat!

Dovetail

It’s not surprising, then, that this stripped back, all-powerful dance packs quite a punch. From its quiet, controlled start through to its high-octane finale, martial arts is fused with dance throughout.

But as ever, that magnum force also tells a story.  It looks at human resolve and the strength that allows us to bend and not break. At a time when the world and people are trying to reset, resilience and strength have maybe never been more important.

Dovetail is an expose of two people thrown together by fate and uncertainties, but can they form an unbreakable bond? These two skilled performers go to the edge of what’s possible to explore their connection, alliance and renewal. Ultimately, it’s a highly physical and emotive duet that showcases the human resolve to rebuild and rediscover oneself with the help of another.

Come and see Dovetail on Saturday 20 May at Bell Square! There are 2 performances – at 1.00 pm and again at 3.00 pm. It’s free, no need to book.

Look forward to seeing you there!