LEADING figures in the dance world will begin arriving in Liverpool tomorrow for the biggest event in the British dance calendar.
Some 36 of the country’s most exciting contemporary dance companies will be performing in front of dance promoters from across the world.
The annual event, titled British Dance, is being held in Liverpool this year in honour of the city’s role as European Capital of Culture.
Among the venues hosting performances will be the Unity Theatre, the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts, Liverpool Playhouse, St George’s Hall, the Open Eye Gallery, FACT, Liverpool Community College Arts Centre and the Pacific Road Arts Centre, in Birkenhead.
Most of the performances will be staged privately for the hundreds of promoters expected to attend.
But there will be two nights of public performances at the Liverpool Empire, each featuring three of the country’s most original dance companies.
On Thursday, the Russell Maliphant Dance and Henri Oguike Dance companies – who both gained local fans after thrilling performances at the Playhouse – will be joined by performers from the Scottish Dance Theatre making their Liverpool debut.
On Saturday, the Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company and Richard Alston Dance Company – another favourite from Playhouse performances – will be joined by the exciting new Israeli-born, London-based choreographer Hofesh Shechter with his company. It is the first time the event – titled this year British Dance: Edition 2008 – has come to Liverpool.
* TICKETS for the Liverpool Empire public dance events, starting at 7.30pm, range £10-£15; booking 0844 847 2525.
