Rambert Dance Company Press Release – 3 July 2006


Rambert Dance Company goes Outside with The Royal Parks this Summer


Rambert Education is delighted to announce details of an exciting new collaboration
with
The Royal Parks, London in the form of Outside – a creative dance project for
young
people in North London. This four week residency will take place in Regent’s
Park between
Monday 31 July and Friday 25 August, engaging four groups of 12-16 year olds in a site-
specific performance project. 


The young people, recruited from local youth clubs and schools, will work for one
week at a
time in Regent’s Park, and be encouraged to look at their local area in a
different light – as
a source of inspiration and as a performance space. They will be given the
opportunities to
create, perform and be inspired by contemporary dance and the environment in which
they
are working.


The base for the project will be The Hub sports centre in Regent’s Park and
from here the
‘Wild in the Parks’ team will lead orienteering and wildlife observation
sessions, all of which
will impact on the choreographic work the young people create. In addition to the
landscape
of the park, Outside will be inspired by bloom – Aletta Collins’ first
work for Rambert Dance
Company (Sadler’s Wells, London May 2006).


bloom is a colourful and charming exploration of creating that perfect romantic
moment.
With huge bunches of flowers and several park benches incorporated into the
production’s
design, there is a natural connection to the context of this task. Led by Rambert
Animateurs
and dancers, this unique and stimulating project will be a physically challenging
experience,
which develops the young peoples’ awareness of the spaces and city they are
working in, as
well as an understanding of dance.


Rambert Dance Company is the UK’s oldest dance company, celebrating its 80th
anniversary this year. Education has always been core to the organisation’s
vision, and
Marie Rambert herself spoke to her audiences to develop their knowledge, understanding
and enjoyment of dance. 80 years later, Rambert Dance Company is as committed to the
value of education as she was, and this exciting new project is just one of the many
ways
Rambert seeks to engage communities in the joy of dance.


Rambert Dance Company’s Director of Education, Kate Scanlan, commented:
"Rambert Dance Company is thrilled to be taking part in this unusual and highly
creative
project with The Royal Parks.  It is a fantastic opportunity for the young
people involved to
work alongside professional artists to create their own work. As they explore the
beauty of
dance within the lush landscapes of Regent’s Park, they will develop their
understanding of
dance, meet new people and have a fun and challenging experience during the school
holidays."


The eight Royal Parks in London are a major historical and cultural resource, which
cover a
total of 5,000 acres and attract some 29 million visitors each year.  The parks
are managed
for public enjoyment by The Royal Parks, an executive agency of the Department of
Culture, Media and Sport.


Tracey Weller, Events Manager for The Royal Parks commented:
“The Royal Parks are delighted to be working with Rambert Dance Company on this
exciting
project. We are looking forward to welcoming the young people to Regent's Park and we
hope that they will find the dance project a unique and memorable experience. We are
especially looking forward to seeing Regent's Park celebrated and interpreted through
contemporary dance.”


Outside is a free project for 12-16 year olds living in or attending school in the
boroughs of
Camden and Westminster. Both boys and girls are welcome to take part and those wishing
to apply should contact Tracey Weller at The Royal Parks on 020 7298 2078 or email

tweller@royalparks.gsi.org.uk
. The deadline for applications is Tuesday 18 July.


Outside has been made possible through the Arts Council England’s Grants for
the Arts
programme.

ENDS
Media Enquiries
For more information about Rambert Dance Company, please contact Francesca Eyles,
Press and Media Officer on 020 8630 0612 or email
fe@rambert.org.uk
 

For more information about The Royal Parks, please contact Bruce Sparrow, Press
Officer
on 020 7298 2128 or 07970 660132 or email bsparrow@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk