Dance for Everyone: Celebrating Diversity and Pushing Boundaries with Phoenix Dance

• Writer: Izzah Ammara Khojah
• Editor: Jonathan Lawrence
• Organiser: Natalie Tharraleos
• Published 09/02/2024

Today, we hand the mic to Izzah Ammara Khojah, our youngest writer. She tackles experiences with an eye for the unexpected and a heart full of passion. This time, her journey leads her into the dynamic world of contemporary dance with Phoenix Theatre. Join Izzah’s adventure – surprises, emotions, and fresh perspectives guaranteed. Let’s see what happens when youth meets art!

Phoenix Rising: One Teenager’s Discovery of the Power of Dance

On 11 November I visited the Phoenix Dance Theatre performance at the Thackray Museum as part of their first-ever Community Engagement Tour. I was received by the lovely Rachel from Phoenix who very generously gave us an overview and background about the dance performances and company. She answered all my questions and allowed me and my family to probe her with our queries.

We learned that the company was founded in 1981 by three black men from Leeds, (David Hamilton (Artistic Director), Donald Edwards and Vilmore James) who wanted to be represented in the dance industry because growing up there hadn’t been much exposure or dancing opportunities for black men. Phoenix has now evolved over time whereby they are inclusive of dancers of all genders and ethnicities and the company has broadened its horizons and ambitions.

From Constraint to Creation: Disease Street Becomes Their Stage

We started off by walking down a corridor called Disease Street where we saw artificial rats and mice scattered everywhere. A dark corridor with dead animals and filthy smelly floors and rooms – they even pumped a smell into the place, so it was like we’d gone back to Victorian times!

This is where the first theatrical and unusual contemporary dance was to be performed. Two women were dancing inhumanely, dressed in all white. They were described as “being feral” and “unleashing a savage side”. All the dance performances were around 5 minutes long.

This particular piece was from a work called ‘Cloudburst’ and the choreographer was called Miguel Altunaga and the absolutely amazing dancers were called Dorna Ashory and Carina Howard.  The dancers only had a quick rehearsal in the morning so they could figure out how to use the constrained performance space. They had to adapt quickly as the room was crowded.

Mozart Meets Movement: Lacrimosa’s Unforgettable Fusion

The second dance had an entirely different energy, I mean everyone in my family had different opinions about it. I was not expecting this to be so drastically different so was pleasantly surprised.

I had asked a few people what they thought of the dance, and everyone collectively had the idea that usually dances are poised and beautiful and pretty, contrary to what we were experiencing in the performance.

The second dancer was called Yasmina Patel, who danced ‘Lacrimosa’ from ‘Requiem’. This dance was set to music by Mozart. It was like the dancer was struggling to breathe. It was dramatic and intense. However, the second dance was a lot more interactive with the audience which captivated my younger brothers’ attention. One of my interpretations was death, more specifically a person trying to avoid or reject death.

Saving the Last Dance…But Did They Break My Heart?

Last but not least we had the final performance which was by far the most emotional dance. Possibly because there were more dancers, but this dance was a lot more intimate and sentimental, leaving the audience astonished at the end. This was also from ‘Requiem’. The dance seemed to portray a love triangle. The dancers were absolutely delightful. 

There seemed to have been some ballet injected into some of the moves and yet it was subtle and enhancing. The dancers were strong and emotional and perfectly displayed a heartbreaking story within a little time of 5 minutes. The co-dependency and clinginess of heartbreak were demonstrated throughout.

All the dances were a sneaky preview for the big show which is a triple bill called BELONGING: Loss. Legacy. Love. which opens at Leeds Playhouse in February. In the preview, we have viewed the complexity of two of the three dances which will be performed on the tour.

It was an amazing first experience to watch and see contemporary dance and meet people from Phoenix Dance Theatre. Inspired by this experience I am going to hopefully actively try to watch more dance. I was very surprised by how I had an entirely different perspective of what dance was or what it could be and the possibilities it offers.

Don’t Miss the Curtain Raiser: Phoenix Dance Theatre Takes Flight in Leeds This February

Phoenix Dance Theatre perform their new triple bill, BELONGING: Loss. Legacy. Love. at Leeds Playhouse from 21 – 23 February 2023.

Tickets are on sale now at: https://www.leedsplayhouse.org.uk/event/belonging-loss-legacy-love/#book-now

Under 35? Enjoy tickets for just £5 when you sign up to Leeds Playhouse’s FREE Under 30s Membership – find out more here: Membership – Leeds Playhouse

Check out Phoenix Dance Theatre’s website and Social Media for exclusive media

Website: phoenixdancetheatre.co.uk
Instagram: @PhoenixDanceTheatre
X (formerly Twitter): @PhoenixLeeds
Facebook: @PhoenixDanceTheatre

Don’t Miss Out! BELONGING: Loss. Legacy. Love. Across the UK

This spring Phoenix Dance Theatre will embark on a UK tour with a brand-new mixed programme – BELONGING: Loss. Legacy. Love. The powerfully visceral and thought-provoking triple bill explores the nuances of human experience by three exciting international dance makers.

Including two world premieres – Miguel Altunaga’s Cloudburst and Marcus Jarrell Willis’ Terms of Agreement – this will also be the first time the Leeds-based company has toured Dane Hurst’s acclaimed Requiem (excerpts).

BELONGING: Loss. Legacy. Love. will open in Phoenix Dance Theatre’s hometown at Leeds Playhouse on Wed 21 February 2024 before touring to Dundee Rep Theatre, Liverpool Everyman Theatre, The Place in London, Malvern Theatres and Cast in Doncaster, with final performances at York Theatre Royal in May.

For more information and booking details for performances visit
phoenixdancetheatre.co.uk/belonging

Tour dates: