Dance

"It is a poignant story ably told by Cook and Branson..." THE STAGE

Varmints

Travelling Light presents an East London Dance, Sadler's Wells and Stratford Circus production

Varmints

Based on the award-winning book Varmints by Helen Ward and Marc Craste

Tues 28 May 2013

Info

3pm and 7pm

There was once only the sound of bees and the wind in the wiry grass, the low murmuring of moles in the cold dark earth, and the song of birds in the high blue sky.

Varmints is a brand new children's dance theatre show, which tells the poignant tale of one small creature's struggle to preserve a world in danger of being lost forever. Every day the city grows larger and the noise grows louder, until there is so much noise that no-one can hear themselves think.

Based on the award-winning book by Helen Ward with beautiful illustrations by Marc Craste, this thrilling production is choreographed by B-boy and New Wave Associate Wilkie Branson (Champloo Dance - White Caps) and directed by children's theatre specialist Sally Cookson (We're Going on a Bear Hunt, Tiddler, Stick Man), who most recently collaborated on the brilliantly energetic Christmas show BOING!

*Stop Press*
We are delighted to announce a Varmints Workshop will take place in the 'Imaginarium' on Sat 25 May as part of the Exeter Northcott Theatre Open Day. (Maximum 20 people at one time. £3 entry)

Utterly dazzling ... exhilarating dance theare"
THE GUARDIAN (on BOING!)

www.travellinglighttheatre.org.uk

Tickets: £12.50
Concs: £2 off
Family Ticket: £30 for 3 + up to 3 more £10 each
Schools: £7.50 for groups 10+
Student Standby: £8
Age: 8yrs+
Running Time: TBC
Post Show Talk: Tues 28 May 7pm

All transactions are subject to a £2 booking fee.

Reviews

A dynamic and beautifully executed piece of family dance-theatre, with stunning visuals and a conceptuality that rolls at the quicksilver speed of a child’s imagination."****

VENUE MAGAZINE

In a flamboyance of stunning visuals and a variety of dances whose emotions range from despair and loneliness to joy and elation, the show takes us on a journey of emotions and questions, which are all ultimately very humbling.

PLAYSTOSEE.COM

" The production was faultless. The original music was exquisite, the lighting perfect, the set delightful and imaginative. The whole show was wonderfully imaginative. Inspired. Parents left feeling self-satisfied that they had exposed their kids to a special, creative experience. It ticked all the boxes"

BRIGHTON ARGUS

"When I first read Varmints I was immediately struck by the tones, textures and sounds which emanated from its imagery and words. I hope that our production gives the audience the same immersive experience that the book does so beautifully. With just words and images the books give so much sound, colour, movement and emotion...now that we are actually using sound, movement, music and lifting the story off the pages of the book, if we do our jobs well we should be able to take the audience on a journey that moves them."
Wilkie Branson, Choreographer

"My first impression of Varmints was how it's such a beautiful, strange little nugget of gold.
It was very clear early on in our planning that dance was the right medium in which to be telling this story. The visual aspect of the book lends itself to creating big pictures on stage, and we discovered that stylised movement served us well when attempting to bring to life a non-naturalistic world."
Sally Cookson, Director

Ticketing info

All transactions are subject to a £2 booking fee.

Cast and Creative

Creative Team & Cast

Director Sally Cookson

Choreographer Wilkie Branson

Set and Costume Designer Holly Waddington

Lighting Designer Guy Hoare

Composer Benji Bower

Dramaturg Adam Peck

Projection Designer Yoav Segal

Performers Wilkie Branson, Mariana Camiloti, Femi M Oyewole, Letitia Simpson

Biographies

Wilkie Branson – Choreographer and Performer
Working as an interdisciplinary artist the focus of Wilkie's work lies in both dance and film, with his origins rooted in B-Boying. Self-taught in both these core aspects of his work, his dance style has developed and evolved into what has been described as a unique fusion, at the forefront of the UK's progressive movement. With core values of expression, accessibility and integrity at the heart of the practice, his most recent works, White Caps and Stronger, are currently touring internationally in Europe, North America and Asia. Awarded The Arts Foundation Choreographic fellowship in 2012 in recognition of professional standing within the art of dance and film, Wilkie is also a member of the Sadler's Wells Summer University – an international selection of emerging choreographers - and a Sadler's Wells New Wave Associate Artist.

Sally Cookson – Director
Sally is an associate artist of Bristol Old Vic where productions have included Peter Pan, Treasure Island, Aesop's Fables, Boing!, Pains of Youth, Pericles, Strange Case and The Visit. Sally's on-going collaboration with Travelling Light Theatre has resulted in her directing over ten productions for the company, including Cinderella, which has recently been nominated for an Olivier, Cloudland, Bob The Man on The Moon, How Cold My Toes, Shadow Play, Clown, Lenny, Home and Papa Please Get The Moon For Me. For Tobacco Factory, theatre includes: Cinderella, The Ugly Duckling, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. For Kenny Wax Productions: We're Going On A Bear Hunt. For Polka Theatre: Lost and Found. For Scamp Theatre: Stick Man, Aesop's Fables and Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales. Other theatre includes: Sapling Song, As Far As I Can Sea (National Trust), The Mermaid And The Mirror (Half Moon), Jump (Myrtle Theatre). Sally's credits as an actress include work at the Royal National Theatre, Almeida, Young Vic, Gielgud Theatre and repertory theatres nationwide.