Charlene Harris, Charlene Rollock, Kevin Jack, Sherid Mason and Sunil are some of the veteran dancers who will return to the Noble Douglas Dance Co for the show Teeth this weekend.They will dance alongside seasoned members and apprentices, said a release on the show from Estuary PR.
Noble Douglas, the company's founder and artistic director, was quoted in the release as saying, "Audiences will see more than dancers dancing as we engage the process of dancers changing. For the first time, the company's members range in age from 16 to 40-plus where apprentices will share the stage with their teachers. That's so profound. Particularly in a society where generations refuse to connect and build with one another."
Teeth marks the beginning of a fourth decade of dance for the company, the release noted. "Four generations of dancers have cut their teeth and bitten into the dance world in this iconic company, which is an integral part of the legacy of dance pioneer and choreographer, Noble Douglas, the release said, noting that the programme will feature primarily new works by Douglas, Dave Williams, Arlene Frank and Penelope Kallo.
Williams, who gave the show its name, was inspired to create a three-part retrospective performance piece titled Older More with the 40-plus retired alumni dancers in mind.An excerpt of Williams' work, Only Vanity Sees Us, was part of the Coco Dance Festival 2014 staged two weeks ago. One remounted piece, Manifestation, choreographed by the UK-based Christel De Souza, will also be featured.
The company's associate artistic director, Harris, who was a recipient of the COCO 2014 Trailblazer Award, said, "The energy is amazing, almost nostalgic in the studio when we get together to rehearse. It feels like old times. I am looking forward to feeling and sharing that energy with them once again on stage."The season ends with a 5.30 pm performance today at Queen's Hall, St Ann's.