A New Era for Ludus Dance
We are delighted that Ludus Dance has been selected to be part of Arts Council England's National Portfolio from 2012.
From 2012, our work will focus on developing and delivering dance development work across Lancashire. From July 2011, in line with our mission to build a robust and sustainable future for Ludus Dance, the touring strand of the company will, unfortunately, close after 36 fantastic years of inspiring and engaging young people and first-time dance audiences. The Touring Company performed its final and very special performance in June to rapturous applause and a standing ovation from the audience.
It is important to note that our Dance Classes and Dance Development work continue as normal.
Celebrating over 35 years of touring
Ludus Dance Touring Company has been inspiring people to engage with dance since 1975... 35 years of outstanding dance performances and workshops. With every national tour we deliver, we reach thousands upon thousands of people. This not only inspires young children to get involved in dance, but it also feeds the wider dance ecology. Many of the biggest names in dance and choreography began their career with the Ludus Dance Touring Company. This is indeed the end of an era, but it also marks the start of an exciting new one for Ludus Dance.
Thank you for all your letters and comments celebrating the impact the touring company has had since 1975. Here's a selection for you to read...
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Ruth Paterson Project & Development Manager XTRAX 'From the time I first got interested in dance at school, I've been inspired by the work that Ludus does and the collaborative, collective approach of the organisation. I clearly remember The Spark, one of the first pieces of contemporary dance I ever saw, which had a huge impact on me as a young person. I remember the skill of the dancers, loving how the story was woven together, and I think I also got a little obsessed with the soundtrack! |
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Jenny Wystawnoha, Falinge Park High School, Rochdale 'Falinge Park High School is an ethically diverse and socially deprived High school in the centre of Rochdale, but the experience Ludus has given my pupils has been invaluable. I have sat and watched them work in workshops laughing, challenging themselves, co-operating, leading, creating and inspiring each other. I have sat and watched them in an audience watching a professional work in their own school hall with 'real life' professional dancers who they have talked to, built a relationship with all week and simply look at in awe. This has been an experience I cannot believe they will get from any other dance company. |
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'Ex students who are now studying dance at college tell me that in their interviews when asked 'Why?', they say that whilst at school Ludus residencies inspired them to pursue dance and have a love for the art!' |
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Marion Plowright Subject Leader: Creative and Performing Arts Ripley St Thomas School Lancaster 'I have watched as generations of children have been transformed by the power of Ludus Dance to engage young people. I have seen all their productions, enjoyed numerous projects and residencies and seen often disaffected and unhappy children turning to dance as a lifelong means of expression and fulfilment. |
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'I teach Drama - an Art form that I used to feel was within the grasp of all children - a Ludus Dance teacher once told me that he had taught dance to the blind and the deaf and that the human instinct to respond to rhythm was at the heart of dance and was there for everybody.' |
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Christopher Thomson Director of Creative Teaching and Learning at The Place 'I was a founder member of Ludus. Ludus has survived and thrived not only because it has consistently upped its game in terms of production and artistic quality, but crucially because it has made dance a part of people's lives in an enduring way.' |
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Brendan Keaney 'It was at Ludus that I discovered, what appears to be a paradox, i.e. that elite art is not simply for the elite. Greenwich Dance's commitment to developing a local dance culture, building a strong relationship with its community, based on mutual respect, has been directly influenced by the Ludus model.' |
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Wendy Houstoun Performer and Maker of Work 'When I think of performers who have spent time with Ludus, I notice some similarities. They have a strong sense of the way personal feelings brush up against social and political issues. They have a down-to-earth approach about working, and seem to share a humility that possibly comes from the training ground of performing in schools. |
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'I can't think of a better training for a dancer. A training that creates an artist who has curiosity for their craft and a deep feel for their audience.' |
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Nigel Charnock Performer and Choreographer 'Ludus is unique in the dance world and Ludus makes a difference to people's lives. Ludus makes a difference because it creates great dance theatre and then takes that brilliant work to audiences who wouldn't normally ever see dance. 'Whenever I make work now I always remember a group of kids in Wigan whose response to Ludus was so amazingly brilliant that I had to go and hide in the toilets and cry! |
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