I have been directing Young Anjali since 2009 and the choreographed number of pieces. The dancers are aged between 13-25 who are dedicated to be performers. We have been selected to perform at the U.Dance National platform almost every year in venues which included the Birmingham Hippodrome, London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, Northern Ballet in Leeds, Theatre Royal Plymouth and The Lowry Salford.
Anjali Youth have delighted me with their sheer inventiveness and creativity. The choreography reveals and celebrates the dancers’ personalities – allowing me to enter into their world. They are a delight to work with and a shining example of excellent youth dance practice.
Linda Jasper director Youth Dance England
The Voice of Strange Birds (2012) at Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
The piece explores a place where an alternative evolution of life has occurred. A biologist cautions against hasty judgement of the unknown as strange faceless creatures move in a mysterious soundscape. Essential emotions such as love are expressed, forging links between our world and theirs. I was inspired by their remarkable flexibility and challenged the dancers with a unique piece that takes full advantage of their qualities, with visually powerful costumes in stretch fabric that accentuates their distinctive movement. It’s a striking creation that can be taken as an allegory of life with a learning disability.
My Little Grand Design (2013) at Northern Ballet, Leeds
‘My Little Grand Design’ explores the creativity that can be seen through human activity in everyday life. During our rehearsals, one of the dancers shared his dream to be a builder. This led us to expand our movement research into the architectural creative process. Speech by Kevin McCloud, an architect, is used as a soundtrack, to which the dancers connect their idea of home and develop their own identities through the interaction with others. The piece will explore the dancer’s hopes and dreams towards their existing aspirations.
Fallout (2015) at Theatre Royal Plymouth
‘Fallout’ is a reminder of the tragedy and wounds that are left by wars. The piece was developed from images, essays and documentation of world war two, particularly the dropping of the nuclear atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Five dancers with learning disabilities give us glimpses of the ongoing impact of war and of the fragility of human existence.
Almost Hear You Whisper (2016) at WOW Festival Hall, The Lowry, Laban Theatre
‘Almost Hear You Whisper’ was inspired by the Spanish Sculptor Juan Munoz’s work ‘Conversation Piece’ in which bulbous, body-shaped sculptures represent living narrative. Six performers linked together travel through space and tell each other their fragmentary, quiet stories. The conversation in this piece is focused in silent communication. As the dancers move, like plant bulbs growing and seeking the light, they are connected by threads of inner feeling. Uniformity of design enhances and brings meaning to the emerging expressions.
