Described by Dance Europe as “seriously in danger of becoming a national treasure”, Yorke Dance Project’s latest programme, features world premieres alongside works by legendary choreographers.

MODERN MILESTONES includes: Martha Graham’s Deep Song, celebrating her company’s 100^th year. Lacrymosa honours choreographer Robert Cohan’s 100^th birthday, with guest artist Jonathan Goddard dancing the role that was created by Cohan for him. Lewitzky Dance Company was founded in Los Angeles 60 years ago by modern dance pioneer Bella Lewitzky. Yorke Dance Project brings her thrillingly athletic work Kinaesonata to the UK for the first time. 

These classic works are framed by two world premieres:  created by Yorke Dance Project’s associate choreographer, Liam Francis, who launches his new company Frandanco this year. And, in his 80^th year, Christopher Bruce has created his mesmerising and romantic, Troubadour, set to a live recording of treasured songs by Leonard Cohen.

**** Breathtakingly Beautiful – The Observer

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Acclaimed choreographer and Frome resident Christopher Bruce celebrates his 80^th birthday with a dance tribute to legendary singer Leonard Cohen

Troubadour

Frome Memorial Theatre on 28th & 29th November

Part of Yorke Dance Project’s exceptional mixed bill Modern Milestones

The famed choreographer Christopher Bruce is bringing his first new work in over a decade to Frome – which also happens to be his home town. Troubadour, a celebration of the songwriter Leonard Cohen, can be seen at Frome Memorial Theatre on 28 & 29 November as part of a mixed bill presented by the acclaimed contemporary ballet company, Yorke Dance Project.

A long-time admirer of Cohen, Bruce was inspired to create a work to his music when he heard a recording of a live performance at the O2 Arena in 2008. He has set it to six iconic tracks – Dance Me to the End of Love, The Future, A Thousand Kisses Deep, Suzanne, Boogie Street and First We Take Manhattan.

A powerful and moving creation for eight dancers, Troubadour explores the man, his art, his poetry and his charisma as a born performer.

Bruce says: “Leonard Cohen was a Troubadour and, having spent large parts of my own life touring as a dancer and choreographer, I could identify with both the positive and negative sides of this world.”

Celebrating his 80^th birthday this year, Christopher Bruce has had one of the 20^th century’s most successful and influential choreographic careers including directing the Rambert Company for nine years from 1994 after dancing and choreographing for them for many years.

His best known contemporary dance works include Ghost Dances, Swansong, Cruel Garden and Rooster, a tour de force set to songs by the Rolling Stones and performed by over 20 dance companies worldwide.

Bruce and his artist wife, Marian – who has designed the costumes for Troubadour – moved to the Frome countryside in 1986, buying an old house as a refuge from the pressures of the professional world.

Eleven years ago, they moved into the town itself. Frome is home to many artists and Troubadour was created in the studio of the Mark Bruce Company, the dance company run by the Bruces’ son, himself a choreographer.

Troubadour is part of Yorke Dance Project’s latest programme Modern Milestones. Also on the bill are Bella Lewitzky’s 1970 work Kinaesonata, Martha Graham’s 1937 solo Deep Song, Robert Cohan’s 2015 work Lacrymosa and CAST |x|, a new work by Liam Francis.

The Yorke Dance Project dancers are Abigail Attard-Montalto, Elly Braund, Eleanor Ferguson, Carina Howard, Dominic Rocca, Pierre Tappon, Amy Thake and Harry Wilson.

There will be guest appearances from Liam Francis, Jonathan Goddard and Eileih Muir. The company apprentices are Jasmine Daniels – also a Frome resident – and Francis Thomas.