Grace Wales Bonner has recently announced a new collaboration with the National Youth Dance Company (NYDC) and renowned choreographer Wayne McGregor. This exciting partnership comes as NYDC celebrates its 10th anniversary and will involve Wales Bonner designing costumes for McGregor’s latest work, Novacene.
Novacene recently premiered at The Lowry in Salford and is set to be performed at Sadler’s Wells Theatre on June 3rd, followed by a tour across the UK. To mark this significant anniversary, Sadler’s Wells will host a series of “birthday parties” in conjunction with the tour dates, bringing young people together to celebrate and showcase their dance skills. In addition, the company’s Learning & Engagement department will lead activities nationwide, including free school workshops and regional commissions.
McGregor’s Novacene draws inspiration from scientist James Lovelock’s book on cyborgs. By collaborating with Wales Bonner, McGregor aims to highlight the unique talents of the young dancers in NYDC. As the Guest Artistic Director for this year, McGregor aims to expose these young artists to a wide range of creative possibilities. Working with Wales Bonner’s contemporary vision and style, they hope to create custom costumes that not only enhance the dancers’ performances but also allow them to express their individuality and energy on stage.
Wales Bonner has always found inspiration in the expressive gestures of dance when designing her silhouettes, making this collaboration a perfect fit. She is thrilled about the opportunity to work with NYDC and McGregor, recognizing the importance of providing young artists with platforms to showcase their full potential. Both Wales Bonner and McGregor believe that this collaboration will serve as a source of inspiration for the young dancers involved.
Useful links:
– National Youth Dance Company
– Sadler’s Wells Theatre
