Alleyne Dance, founded by identical twin sisters Kristina and Sadé Alleyne present Far From Home, a new touring production. Far From Home is touring in 2023 with spring dates at DanceEast, Ipswich, on 21 April and Dance City, Newcastle, on 28 April following its international premiere at The Place, London, in November 2022.
Far From Home looks at humanity via stories of migration and the consequences of searching for “a better life” for those forced to seek it due to social or political devastations. Devised, choreographed and performed by Kristina and Sadé Alleyne, Far From Home brings the company’s powerhouse physicality, exuberance and style to the stage. Informed by the duo’s training as athletes and epitomised through their signature blend of illustrative choreography, circus skills plus West African, Caribbean, Hip Hop and Kathak dance influences, Far From Home features an abstract but compelling narrative highlighting the emotional trauma experienced by migrant families, as well as the impact on communities where migrants “settle”.
Alongside the Alleyne sisters, Far From Home features four professional dance artists hailing from Argentina, France, Greece and Italy. Bryan Doisy, Giorgia Gasparetto, Juan Jesus Giraldi and Iro Konti’s stories have contributed to and enriched the creative process. A supporting cast of non-professional movers recruited from communities local to the presenting venue enhance each performance.
Kristina and Sadé Alleyne said: “The research and creation process for Far From Home has taught us so much. It has been a true privilege for us to speak to many people who have been affected by the themes in this production and to be trusted to bring those stories to life on stage. It has also been a dream of ours to expand Alleyne Dance, so we welcome our new company members with open arms and thank them for everything they have given to creating this work.”
Taking audiences on a journey of separation, loss, travel, friendship, struggle plus the joy of reunification and reconciliation, Far From Home unpicks the meaning of tolerance and the practice of integration in our increasingly politically partisan world.
Far From Home has been co-commissioned by The Place, Dance City Newcastle, Dance East and Dampfzentrale Bern with support from Arts Council England National Lottery Projects Grant.
This production features costumes by Giulia Scrimieri (City for a Thousand Trades, Birmingham Royal Ballet; The World’s Greatest Show, Royal Opera House; Game of Thrones season 7) and music by Giuliano Modarelli (Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Jose Agudo) incorporating Alleyne’s trademark rhythms, created via the dancers’ own bodies. Emanuele Salamanca (Aakash Odera Company, Expo Milano) and Salvatore Scollo’s (Alesandra Seutin, The Place London) set and lighting design layer shadows and natural materials including earth and water, all of which contribute to the atmosphere of Alleyne Dance’s most ambitious project to date.
