Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures has announced the return of Doorstep Duets, bringing free dance performances to communities across the South-East of England from 14 July to 8 August 2026.
Now in its sixth year, the initiative was launched in 2021 to combat social isolation by delivering live performance directly to local spaces including parks, town squares and community venues.
This year’s programme features a brand-new work, The Bench, choreographed by Glenn Graham and performed by New Adventures artists Mark Austin, Benjamin Barlow Bazeley, Rosanna Lindsey, Mami Tomotani and Daisy West.
The tour opens at Farnham Maltings before travelling to locations across Surrey, Essex, Suffolk, Faversham, Canterbury, Dover, Margate, Ramsgate and Crawley.
The Bench explores the intersecting lives of three individuals, delving into themes of memory, connection and the quiet moments that shape human experience.
Choreographer Glenn Graham said, “Returning to choreograph for Doorstep Duets for a second time is a massive privilege. This project is incredibly close to my heart because it breaks down barriers, bringing high-quality dance theatre directly to communities who might otherwise never experience it. If this initiative had come to my hometown when I was growing up, I would have been introduced to this amazing art form sooner, giving me access to a whole new world.
With The Bench, I wanted to explore the shared histories and growth across different decades. It’s a beautifully relatable piece, and I’m so grateful to apply everything I learned from my first time around to create something that provokes thought, sparks the imagination, and makes everyone feel included in the magic of theatre.”
The 2026 tour is presented in partnership with Farnham Maltings and a network of regional organisations including The Children’s Trust, Mercury Theatre Colchester, Dance Network Association, Latitude Festival and the Marlowe Theatre Canterbury.
The project continues New Adventures’ commitment to increasing access to dance by taking performances outside traditional theatre settings and directly into local communities.
More information can be found here.
