Thrilling and moving
Rosie Kay Dance Company creates brave new dance in Birmingham that tours to audiences at home and abroad. We thrill and move a diverse public with relevant, important, political and meaningful dance responding to contemporary society.
WATCH ROSIE KAY'S WORK
The Dancers Project
Studio sharing on-demand
Rising from the ashes of a cancelled run of ‘Rosie Kay’s Fantasia’ at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, we’re delighted to commission three new socially distanced duets by RKDC regular dancers.
cocoon escape
by Carina Howard
“Our identities are formed in many ways, from our job titles to our hair colour, and in the current climate it can feel like we are pressured to constantly improve ourselves. With this piece I encourage you to celebrate who you are right now and forgo the comfort of living inside a cocoon.”
Beneath Her Turmoil
by Harriet Ellis
Beginning with an unworldly and satirical perspective and ending with raw, brutal honesty, ‘Beneath Her Turmoil’ explores the experiences and expectations of a modern day woman; how she feels, how she is seen, how she is essentially accompanied by her own image of herself, and how a patriarchal society influences her every thought, action and outcome.
Graceful Resilience
“This piece is an exploration into the female expressions from childhood to womanhood. Through life, her joy, pain, silence, and past and present trauma, defines her very complex being. Yet, with all that has been cast her way, she still remains beautiful and resilient.”
5 SOLDIERS
The Body is the Frontline
In 2008, choreographer Rosie Kay joined the 4th Battalion The Rifles, to watch and participate in full battle exercises, and visited the National Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre. What came of these observations was the award-winning, five-star work 5 SOLDIERS.
5 SOLDIERS has been touring since its premiere in 2010, you can see the 2017 live stream (commissioned by The Space) for a limited time for free.
WATCH ONLINE FOR FREE
For a limited time we are making 5 SOLDIERS available for free for online viewers. Please make a donation to Rosie Kay Dance Company if you can. Your donation will help fund the research, creation and touring of new works.
★★★★★
“War from a female perspective packs a punch…taut, visceral, compassionate”THE OBSERVER
★★★★★
“not only keeps us riveted, but helps close the gap of understanding between the armed forces and the general public.”
THE SCOTSMAN
please SUPPORT US
THE FUTURE-PROOF ARTIST
A series of podcasts with Rosie Kay in conversation with figures from the academic, military and media spheres.
EP01: Mars El-Brogy
A qualified journalist and experienced video production manager. Mars has produced for BBC Three, BBC Entertainment Development and BBC Worldwide as well as leading new media for International Dance Festival Birmingham.
Recorded in London, August 2018
EP02: Harry Parker
Harry studied History of Art at UCL and joined the British Army when he was 23 serving in Iraq and Afghanistan before going onto work as a civil servant. He now works as a painter and writer, his first novel Anatomy of a Soldier is published by Faber and Faber.
Recorded in London, August 2018
EP03: Adam Curtis
In Episode 3 Simon Preston talks to Rosie Kay and Adam Curtis, BBC journalist and BAFTA-winning filmmaker, about the origins of their fascinating partnership and how conspiracy theories fuelled the collaborative creation of the critically acclaimed MK ULTRA.
Recorded in London, July 2019
EP04: Annie Mahtani
Episode 4 features Rosie Kay in conversation with composer Annie Mahtani talking about their many years of working together and the joy of collaborating on Rosie's latest work, Rosie Kay's Fantasia.
Recorded at Birmingham Hippodrome in September 2019.
EP05: Ben Payne
Episode 5 features Rosie Kay in conversation with dramaturg Ben Payne talking about their working relationship, the role of a dramaturg in dance and the beginnings of Rosie's new production of Romeo & Juliet.
Recorded in London in July 2019.
Finding that #mondaymotivation 💪 I’m really sad not to be with the cast of R+J today working on the show, but we wanted people to stay safe. Instead, I’m alone in my favourite unheated studio, with lots of layers and a flask of coffee working on ideas for a new show in 2022. A joy to move again, in fact, I’ve got to keep moving to stay warm! . . . . #rosiekaydancecompany #newchoreography #lockdowncreation #femaledancer #birminghamdancer #rkromeoandjuliet #bluemonday #femalechoreographer #blocheu #dancepost #rkdc #creativecommunity
That Saturday feeling 👏 Throwback to the hypnotic MK ULTRA. Photo: Brian Slater . . . . . #rkdc #rosiekaydancecompany #mkultra #rosiekay #dancetheatre #theatreuk #danceuk #femaledancer #garycard #contemporarydance #dancephotography
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Well, what an incredible year it has been, some ups, some downs and a whole new way of living, dancing and connecting with audiences. 2020 hit an intense start with our UK & USA tour of 5 SOLDIERS. One of our cast hit Visa issues but so Lt Col Kay was born! Despite sheer terror, I enjoyed the experience back on stage but was relieved when Soldier No. 5 returned to duty. By then, Covid was chasing us & we were anxious to get home before travel bans left us stranded. Thank you to the hard working, dedicated & highly supportive cast who I felt so proud of, our amazing US agents Eleanor & John & all the US presenters. We then transitioned into work for online audiences. First, the 2018 recording of MK Ultra shot at @qehsouthbankcentre followed by the Fantasia online prem with a post-show talk. Our third was with Army & the Arts at their virtual @edintfest with 10 Soldiers with post-show talk with @damekellyholmes, Harry Parker & Lt Col Wendy Faux. Thanks to all 3 wonderful casts & interview chair @simonprestn. With a Fantasia run cancelled, we commissioned @shanelleclemenson @harrietellismoves & @carinahowardmovement to choreograph socially distanced duets for #TheDancersProject. Lockdown gave me the opportunity to focus on a new solo show. I gradually built my strength & fitness while working on new solo Adult Female Dancer & learning Artemis Clown. It was a joy to return to dancing & the daily rituals got me through some tough moments. #AbsoluteSoloII has been delayed but we hope to open in late spring 2021. A huge portion of 2020 has been preparing our modern interpretation of Romeo + Juliet, which I’ve been researching in local Birmingham communities for 5 years. Auditions took place & we were thrilled by the talent & our super new cast. R&D started in Dec and we go into creation shortly. #RKRomeoAndJuliet opens 17 Mar @brumhippodrome- tickets in bio! A huge thanks to my partner in all things creative James Preston. We love the good times & we seem to thrive on the tough times! Thanks to our creatives, our production team and our RKDC team. Thank you to our board, each of our incredible supporters & to our audiences for their positivity and support.
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If Boxing Day telly isn't your thing, instead experience pure joy through movement- Rosie Kay's Fantasia is streaming online for the rest of the holiday period ⚡️ Watch for free here (donations welcome) - link in bio Photo by Brian Slater . . . . #rosiekaysfantasia #rkdc #rosiekay #fantasia #bach #beethoven #purcell #tututuesday #watchonline #contemporarydance #femalechoreographer #boxingday2020
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Capulet crew in rehearsal 💪 Keep an eye out later for a brand new Behind the Scenes video from our research and development period! Tickets & more info about Romeo + Juliet in bio . . . . . #rkromeoandjuliet #rosiekay #rosiekaydancecompany #romeoandjuliet #newchoreography #dancerehearsal #birminghamdancers #shakespeare #capulet
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Live & Local are looking for West Midlands & East based artists and companies from a range of art forms to create bespoke performances or artworks for the community 👇
Closes: 5 Feb 2021 https://t.co/SdonWk75Et
Incredibly important and engaging #NationalYouthTrends report from @beatfreeks and @WeDontSettle on How Young People of Colour were Represented in the UK in 2020.
Download here 👇 https://t.co/j3C9tn8FGi
Gen Z aren't letting the conversation drop ✊🏿✊🏼✊🏽
In support we have released a new #NationalYouthTrends report with @WeDontSettle on how young People of Colour in UK saw representation in 2020, and what they expect in 2021.
DOWNLOAD LINK: https://t.co/uZQcarmZ0C https://t.co/6uLnu1n1rK
A great variety of affordable online workshops for creative young people aged 7-25 hosted by @brumhippodrome 👇 https://t.co/qv31IwDOde
Really sad not to be with the cast of R+J today, but we wanted people to stay safe. Instead, I’m alone in my favourite unheated studio with lots of layers and coffee, working on ideas for a new show in 2022.
A joy to move again, in fact, I’ve got to keep moving to stay warm! https://t.co/gLJM1nO6nr
That Saturday feeling 👏 Throwback to the hypnotic MK ULTRA.
Photo by Brian Slater. https://t.co/JOBqaYFzvM
We are saddened to hear about the passing of Sir Robert Cohan.
We are so grateful for his huge contribution to the development of dance and to the teaching of contemporary dance technique the UK. https://t.co/NzCcCEyVaW
