ERTZA - OTEMPODIZ: FREE EVENTS AT BELL SQUARE, LONDON
London has no shortage of free things to do, from Changing the Guard to the Notting Hill Carnival, but for outdoor performance of the highest calibre, Bell Square in Hounslow stands apart. It is the capital's only purpose-built outdoor performance space, sitting in the heart of the town on Hounslow High Street. Across the season it hosts international and UK artists working in theatre, circus and dance, and every performance is free for everyone. The programme is presented and programmed by Watermans, a local arts charity.
A Space Designed for Audiences
Bell Square is a permanent outdoor space with seating and standing room, so audiences can arrive without fuss and settle in quickly. It is a large square created for public gathering and performance, with dedicated lighting and sound. That makes it a rare thing in London, where outdoor arts are often tucked away in parks or car parks. Here, the space puts audiences at the centre, with room to suit everything from a solo dancer to a large fire show.
The ambition of the programme is simple: to bring some of the best outdoor performers in the world to Hounslow, free of charge to audiences. Shows range from circus to dance, acrobats to illuminated sculptures, and the organisers aim to delight and inspire everyone from the age of four to eighty-four. Audiences arrive with all kinds of backgrounds and levels of interest in the arts, and the work is chosen to speak clearly and openly in a public setting.
ERTZA and Contemporary African Dance
One of the most distinctive productions to appear at Bell Square is Otempodiz, created by the contemporary dance company ERTZA. The company was founded in 2004 by the dancer and choreographer Asier Zabaleta, with the aim of opening up a new space for choreographic creation, without ties or conventionalisms. ERTZA builds projects in collaboration with artists from other disciplines, and its productions pose questions about human and social contradictions, inviting audiences to reflect on current themes.
Otempodiz at Bell Square
ERTZA bring Otempodiz to Bell Square on Saturday 22 August, with performances at 1pm and 3pm. Each show runs for 55 minutes. As with all Bell Square events, it is free for everyone and requires no ticket; audiences simply turn up and watch. The production invites you to experience time through the power of dance.
A Performance Built on Curiosity
The show begins with a simple premise: the curiosity of an acrobat and a juggler leads them to seek each other out. What follows is a performance that combines accomplished dance, acrobatics and juggling. The two performers are drawn to one another, and their disciplines speak to each other throughout the piece. Acrobatics brings risk and elevation, juggling brings rhythm and dexterity, and dance binds the two together into a coherent whole.
The Creative Team
The creative team behind Otempodiz is led by Asier Zabaleta, who is credited as author, director and photographer. The performers are Fenias Nhumaio and Deissane Machava, with production and support from ERTZA SORKUNTZA ARTISTIKOA S.L. The result is a show that works on several levels, appealing to audiences who love pure physical skill and to those who want to think about the cultural meaning of time.
Time Measured, Time Experienced
Otempodiz is built around a striking idea about time. In the West, the production notes, time is measured, bought, sold, planned and organised, and yet there is almost never enough of it. By contrast, in Africa time is experienced; it is something you have, something you do, an asset that is almost never lacking. Otempodiz uses the physical language of dance and circus to show what it means to experience time in an absolute present, rather than constantly racing towards the next obligation.
For audiences used to checking their phones, the show offers a rare chance to see time treated as something generous rather than scarce. The combination of a free outdoor setting, a world-class company and an idea worth sitting with makes Otempodiz a highlight of Bell Square's season. Mark Saturday 22 August in the diary, find your spot in Hounslow, and let the performance do the rest.
See you there!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is Otempodiz at Bell Square really free?
Yes. Every performance at Bell Square is free for everyone to watch, and Otempodiz is no different. On Saturday 22 August there are two shows, at 1pm and 3pm, each lasting 55 minutes. You do not need to book anything; you can simply arrive at the square and enjoy the performance.
Do I need a ticket for Bell Square events?
No ticket is needed for any Bell Square performance. The space is designed so audiences can turn up and watch without fuss, with seating and standing room available. For Otempodiz, just make your way to Hounslow High Street in time for the 1pm or 3pm performance and settle in.
Where exactly is Bell Square?
Bell Square sits in the heart of Hounslow on the High Street, and it is London's only purpose-built outdoor performance space. It is presented and programmed by Watermans, a local arts charity, and the square itself is a permanent venue for public gathering and performance. Full travel directions are available through the Bell Square website.