Phoenix Dance Theatre has embarked on an 18-date UK-wide tour with a brand-new mixed bill, Interplay, bringing together work by internationally acclaimed choreographers Travis Knight and James Pett, Ed Myhill, Yusha-Marie Sorzano, and Phoenix Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director, Marcus Jarrell Willis.

I’ve always found it intriguing to observe dual artistic expression – the ways two creative minds come together and collaboratively work towards one goal in creation while maintaining their individual artistic expressions. The programme consists of different forms of artistic duality, through choreographic voices, as well as the structure of the dance works themselves. I think it will be interesting for an audience to see a full programme that focuses on this particular theme (duality), while highlighting a range of different works

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Next of Kin

Originally premiering in New York in 2013, Marcus Jarrell Willis’s Next of Kin has been newly reimagined for Phoenix Dance Theatre. The duet explores the subtle humour and tension between two kindred spirits navigating life together.

Why are people clapping?!

In a tennis match, walking down an empty street, in the beat of our own hearts, rhythm can be found anywhere. In Ed Myhill’s Why Are People Clapping?! (restaged by Camille Giraudeau), Steve Reich’s fantastic Clapping Music is used to drive the narrative of the ubiquity of rhythm. And very beautiful it is too.

Small Talk

A simply lit duet of dancers, a standard lamp and a carpet are all that are required to illustrate the story of two people and the life they lead together. Despite the simplicity, all emotions are there: passion, disdain, anger. A delightful performance.

Suite Release

In a powerful new collaboration by Yusha-Marie Sorzano and Marcus Jarrell Willis, this work was inspired by ritual, meditation and the roots of hip-hop and house culture. It is huge, impactful and hard to access for those of us with no knowledge of any of these cultural references. But it is undeniably stunning and a quite brilliant work of art.

Interplay continues on tour:

Leeds Playhouse
Tuesday 31 March – Thursday 2 April

Liverpool Playhouse
Friday 8 May

Malvern Theatre
Tuesday 12 & Wednesday 13 May

Cast, Doncaster
Wednesday 20 May

Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
Thursday 28 May

Theatre Clwyd, Mold, Wales
Tuesday 2 – Wednesday 3 June

More information about Phoenix Dance and Interplay can be found here: phoenixdancetheatre.co.uk/