Audiences will be able to enjoy streamed shows from Protein’s extensive repertoire, a brand new dance film and a chance to find out more about Artistic Director Luca Silvestrini as the company announces a digital season of work as part of its on-going 21st anniversary celebrations, Protein 21.
The season launches on Wednesday 10 June with a live streamed conversation between Luca Silvestrini and Graham Watts OBE, Chair of the Dance section of the Critics’ Circle. The interview, part of the Reflect strand of Protein 21, will be streamed on Facebook Live and will be available afterwards on the company’s new website.
Speaking about the interview, Graham Watts said “Luca’s unique brand of dance theatre, mixing humour with heavy-hitting themes, has been at the cutting edge of contemporary dance for the past two decades and it’s going to be enormous fun finding out what has made his creative force so potent”
Following on the success of Border Tales as part of The Place Online season in May, on 25 June, DanceEast and The Place will stream Protein’s hugely popular, award winning, LOL (Lots of Love) as part the Protein 21 Remix Series. First performed in 2011, LOL provided commentary on the then emerging online society and its language and etiquette. It has since toured extensively in the UK and internationally to critical acclaim. Thereafter, Protein will broadcast a show a month in partnership with venues around the UK and abroad, including 2008’s Dear Body in July and a rare chance to see some of the company’s earlier works in the summer and autumn including Silvestrini’s works for HeadSpaceDance. Each show will be available to watch for one weekend only on the company’s website. All artists involved in the filmed performance will receive royalties for the broadcasts.
A new dance film, The Sun Inside is currently being created by Protein’s Luca Silvestrini, filmmaker Roswitha Chesher and composer Andy Pink, alongside volunteer contributors from around the world who have shared their reflections on sun inside their homes. The film is part of the Protein 21 Reimagine series and takes inspiration from a film made by Protein and Roswitha Chesher in 2008 during a residency at Evelina Children’s Hospital. The new work is expected to be released during summer 2020.
Protein’s ongoing professional development training, Embrace, will also continue digitally and the forthcoming one will focus on mental health in the performing arts.
Speaking about this new digital programme, Luca Silvestrini said: ‘It’s a very special time at Protein and we live in a very special time. Today, more than ever, art, culture have a fundamental role to play in reminding us all of our innate creativity as human beings. This digital phase is intended as a positive, forward-thinking response to the current restrictions and we are delighted to reach out and continue to connect with our people and beyond. Thanks to all the performers, collaborators, promoters and friends for their help in reimagining, reflecting and remixing our history into the future.’
Since its first production 21 years ago, Protein has cemented its reputation as one of Britain’s most distinctive dance companies, blending bold and clever choreography with a great sense of humour while connecting theatrical experiences with timely and relevant issues. The company’s 21st anniversary celebrations draw on Luca’s choreographic practice and Protein’s belief that dance is for everyone. At the centre of the celebrations is Protein 21, a programme designed to Remix, Reflect on and Reimagine the company’s work.
All shows can be viewed at www.proteindance.co.uk
