Lowry celebrates season of dance

The Lowry has begun its biggest ever season of dance, with 41 dance performances by 12 companies included in the programme.

Celebrated choreographer and dancer Akram Kahn takes dance from the stage to the galleries as The Lowry’s second ever Performer As Curator. One Side To The Other (opening on 15 November) features works by the artists that have influenced and inspired Kahn’s choreography. Alongside the exhibition, Khan will perform a one-off two-night run of his signature piece DESH on 13 & 14 November. DESH is a full-length contemporary solo in which one man tries to find his balance in an unstable world.

The precision of classical ballet meets the sensuality and passion of Latin dance rhythms courtesy of internationally acclaimed Brazilian dance company, Grupo Corpo, who arrive at the Salford venue from 17 -18 October. The show features 22 dancers.

Last week saw two world premières and a company classic in a triple bill of dance by Phoenix Dance Theatre .

Later in the month, Resident Dance company – Company Chameleon return with a brand new work on from 22 -23 October. Beauty of The Beast is an exploration of masculinity and male group behaviour, where pressure to conform to group norms is irresistible and inter-group rivalries can be competitive and hostile.

The Five and The Prophecy of Prana (11-12 Nov) tells the story of an evil emperor used sorcery to harness the five elements until the Guardians of Prana took back control. Superhero comics, manga, kung fu movies and hip hop combine in this show by Boy Blue Entertainment. Boy Blue will also be involved in the Signatures Youth Greater Manchester dance showcase in January 2015.

Of Land And Tongue will be performed to a super-limited audience in The Lowry’s 360 degree-view Compass Room on Sun 16 November. Performed in the round, Of Land And Tongue brings the audience into the heart of the action.

Rising (28 – 29 November) is an evening of works performed by a rising star of British South Asian Dance, Aakash Odedra, featuring solos choreographed by Russell Maliphant, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Akram Khan and Odedra himself.

In December, Candoco Dance Company present an evening of two new full company works. Playing Another (2 – 3 December) features choreography by Thomas Hauert and Hetain Patel, performed by a contemporary company of disabled and non-disabled dancers.

Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands returns to The Lowry from 25 – 29 November. This dance adaption from Time Burton’s film has been performed across the world since its premiere in 2005, and features music by Danny Elfman.

Finally, international dance show, STOMP! comes to Salford as part of the Salford and Old Trafford Family Arts Festival (28 October – 1 November). Their visit will include a flash mob performance on Manchester’s Metrolink tram on 28 October. Passengers travelling from Piccadilly Station to MediaCityUK between 11.30am and 12pm will have the chance to catch the show for the price of a tram ticket.

This season of dance follows partner companies Birmingham Royal Ballet and Rambert, who opened the autumn season with two productions. Beauty and The Beast (23 – 27 September), and Rooster (Wed 1 – Fri 3 October) returned after 13 years absence.

For more information about Dance at The Lowry: http://www.thelowry.com/get-involved/dance/home/