Let's Dance in Stirling

Over the past few years, The Macrobert in Stirling has developed a serious programme that competes with the big theatres of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Combining national touring companies and a bunch of exclusive to Scotland productions, it is impossible to ignore the venue, much as I wish it were a little closer.

I am especially exercised by the realisation that they are having a dance festival in March. The rather wonderful  LaNua begin the week, performing  enso outdoors on the University of Stirling campus. Since enso is inspired by the sparse elegance of Zen art, it fits nicely with the University’s Japan Week.That one is free, too.

Then 2Faced Dance are bringing the Scottish première of Out of His Skin. A few years back, 2Faced were a showy, spectacular crew that mixed hip hop bravado with a more theatrical presence, but artistic director Tamsin Fitzgerald took them further into a darker, more narrative and thematic driven journey. Still regular Fringe favourites, and not adverse to busting the odd sharp move, they look more dangerous, and intrigung, every year. This one's about extremity, too.

Then, another Scottish première: balletLORENT’s  Rapunzel. Text by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, music by Doctor Who composer Murray Gold and costumes by Michele Clapton, award-winning designer for HBO’s Game of Thrones: balletLORENT have always been able to match the elegant, the sensual, the sinister and the accessible. Reworking this fairy-tale makes sense for the company last seen in Scotland reinventing erotic cabaret in The Arches.

Finally, there's a Big Dance Day on Saturday 23rd March. I'll let the press release explain that one, while I sulk about being in Glasgow that afternoon.

"Kicking off with the classic Bedknobs And Broomsticks on the big screen at 11am, other highlights include have-a-go Scottish Ballet workshops, a ceilidh marathon, the Scottish premiere of Scottish Dance Theatre’s Innocence- a unique theatrical playroom for ages 7 and under- and the Community Dance Showcase, an evening celebrating the rich variety of dance created by Scottish Community companies, including Natasha Gilmore’s inter-generational Ultra Violet and macrobert’s Dance Artist Chrissie Jamieson-Ardill’s Rabble."

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Full Festival Listings
For tickets to all events, call 01786 466666 or book online at www.macrobert.org/letsdance
LaNua
Enso
Wednesday 20 March 2:40PM Free but ticketed Pathfoot Building, University of Stirling

2Faced Dance
Out Of His SkinWednesday 20 March 7:30PM £7 / £5.50 (Friends, conc, students & schools)

balletLORENT
RapunzelFriday 22 March 7PM £11 /£9 Friends/£8 Students/£38 Family of 4

Big Dance Day
Saturday 23 March 11AM – 7:30PM
11am - 1.15pm FILM: Bedknobs and Broomsticks (U)
12pm - 1pm WORKSHOP: Innocence workshop for ages 7 & under*
12pm - 3pm WORKSHOP: Drop in Arts and Crafts for the family
2pm - 2.50pm LIVE: Innocence for ages 7 & under
2pm - 3.30pm WORKSHOP: Scottish Ballet workshop for ages 8-12*
4pm - 5pm WORKSHOP: Ceilidh Marathon for all ages*
5pm - 6.45pm FILM: Cirque de Soleil (PG)
7.30pm - 9.00pm LIVE: Community Dance Showcase
*Please note, latecomers to workshops may not be admitted