The Land of Yes and The Land of No Press Release
Monday 8 February 2010
Bonachela Presents His First New Dance Piece Since Becoming Artistic Director of Sydney Dance Company at Corn Exchange, Newbury
The Land of Yes and The Land of No is Bonachela’s first work for his own company since taking up the post of Artistic Director at Sydney Dance Company and it is his deepest exploration yet into the human psyche, the power of imagination and the body’s ability to give physical shape to memory, experience and emotions. The Land of Yes and The Land of No is coming to Corn Exchange, Newbury on Saturday 13 February at 7.45pm. Tickets are £12 (£10 concs).
Rafael Bonachela dissects the world of signs and symbols that shape our everyday movement. One Way, No Entry, Warning, Merge, Stop. No longer innocent instructions, Bonachela finds these common commands spark memories and emotions that resonate deeply in our lives. They reflect the decisions we make, the paths we take, the turning points, the risks and the adventures; and this where The Land of Yes and The Land of No begins.
Bonachela’s movement has always come from a place deep inside the body, an instinctive burst of energy and kinetic chain reactions, but for this latest piece he has worked more closely with the dancers than ever, to mine their own memories and motivations and weave them into his choreography.
Bonachela is widely recognised as one of the most exciting and talented voices working in contemporary dance in the UK. Founded on Bonachela’s interest in the physicality and emotional impulse of the body, BDC brings together artists from diverse practices and influences to create work that communicates in vivid and powerful terms about the human condition and human relationships.
BDC is a company of six exceptionally talented dancers, some award-winners in their own right. Amy Hollingsworth, a founder member of BDC has recently won Outstanding Modern Female Performer at the prestigious Critics Circle Award 2009. Now BDC’s Assistant Artistic Director, Amy remains one of the company's outstanding dancers. The Land of Yes and The Land of No tour is the last chance to see her perform in the UK as she retires in June 2010. Bonachela’s works are always realised through an outstanding company of collaborators and The Land of Yes and The Land of No unites just such a collection of exceptional artists. Celebrated Italian composer and double bass concertist Ezzio Bosso creates the original score. Bonachela’s and Bosso’s process has been one of continued engagement as Bosso developed his compositions in the rehearsal room alongside the choreography. Bosso has worked with a number of dance artists including Liv Lorent, Christopher Wheeldon and George Piper Dances. In contemporary cinema he has worked with directors such as Tavarelli, Terracciano, Porporati, and in particular with Gabriele.
Bonachela’s instinctive, dynamic and highly physical movement is both beautifully abstract and intensely emotive, matched by a rich, expressive score from Italian composer Ezio Bosso. Ezio Bosso, has previously worked in film and theatre as well as dance and has relished the chance to work so closely with BDC. Bosso’s score of expressive minimalism is a chamber piece pregnant with feeling, driving rhythm, lilting strings and sonorous soul.
Rafael, who has worked with artists as diverse as Rambert Dance Company and Kylie Minogue, continues his collaboration with production designer Alan Macdonald whose film career includes design for films such as The Queen (2006), with director Stephen Frears, and the Dylan Thomas biopic Edge of Love (2008).
Rafael Bonachela’s appointment as Artistic Director of Sydney Dance Company reflects his international standing as a choreographer of significant talent. In 2003 he was appointed Associate Choreographer at Rambert and in September 2004 Rafael won the first ever Place Prize award for choreography. In 2006 he founded Bonachela Dance Company and that same year he was appointed Artist in Residence at Southbank Centre, London.
Bonachela Dance Company was founded in 2006 and since then Bonachela has choreographed two new evenings of work for the company - Voices, nominated for a 2007 Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Repertoire, Modern and Square Map of Q4, which opened the Venice Biennale for dance in June 2008. Bonachela Dance Company has built a national and international reputation and in the past year alone has toured to 25 venues in the UK and Europe.
For more information about The Land of Yes and The Land of No, visit www.bonacheladancecompany.com
Notes to Editors
Choreographed by Rafael Bonachela and dancers
Original Music by Ezio Bosso
Designed by Alan Macdonald / Lighting design by Guy Hoare
Costume design by Theo Clinkard
Dancers: Amy Hollingsworth, Fiona Jopp, Cameron McMillan, Lisa Welham, Renaud Wiser and Paul Zivkovich
The Land of Yes and The Land of No is commissioned by Arts Depot, DanceEast, Danceworks UK and City of London Festival, with additional support from The Buster Foundation, Garrick Charitable Trust, Leche Trust, Marina Kleinwort Charitable Foundation, Mercers Charitable Foundation and Southbank Centre.
For interviews, further information or images please contact Ruth Cadiot at ruthc@cornexchangnew.co.uk
or 01635 582666 ext. 248 or Verity Shaw veritys@cornexchangenew.co.uk ext. 249