Union Dance Story

Union Dance, a prominent contemporary dance company in the UK, has been making waves in the world of dance with their innovative and thought-provoking performances. Led by the talented Corrine Bougaard, Union Dance has become one of the most influential contemporary dance companies in the country.

Their debut performance, Visions of Rhythm, took place at Battersea Arts Centre in London. This captivating show showcased a fusion of classical Indian, jazz, and modern contemporary dance, performed by the original members of Union Dance. The programme featured mesmerising pieces such as No Man's Land and No Boundaries, and was met with resounding success, leading to successful tours across Italy and Holland.

One of their notable performances, Driving Force, premiered at The Place in London. This dynamic show included Denise Wong and Bunty Matthias's Driving Force, which cleverly explored British colonialism. It was part of a trilogy that also featured Soon, a tribute to Arnie Zane by Bill T Jones. Driving Force boasted a talented cast including David Nurse, Hopal Romans, and Charemaine Seet, who brought the choreography to life.

Union Dance's international touring programme, Motivate the Era, took them across the globe to countries such as Germany, Indonesia, Peru, and Cuba. This lively and vibrant show featured a mix of street dance, hip hop, capoeira, and contemporary styles. Audiences were captivated by breathtaking performances of pieces like A Knot Annulled by Doug Elkins, Soon by Bill T Jones, and The Thrill is Gone by Charemaine Seet. Dancers such as Michael Joseph, David Nurse, and Charemaine Seet showcased their immense talent and showcased the rich diversity of contemporary dance.

Imaging the Invisible, a multimedia installation, was presented at the prestigious Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. Choreographed by the talented Andile Sotiya, this unique installation delved into the world of illusions through the use of projections and dance. The collaboration between choreographers, photographers, multimedia artists, and installation designers aimed to explore different perspectives and how movement can trigger memories.

Sense of Rapport, performed in Bolzano, Italy, featured the captivating piece Silence Disrupted by Rafael Bonachela. This powerful production showcased solos and duets created by company members, titled Rapport, which aimed to convey empathy and trust in our daily lives. Dancers such as Garry Benjamin and Michael Joseph brought their immense talent to this impactful performance.

Heaven on Earth, a breathtaking programme presented at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, explored the theme of finding our place in the world and believing in ourselves. This inspiring production included pieces like Sublime Element by Tayeb Benamara, Two Bye Two by Anh Ngoc Nguyen, and Celestial Dawning by Michael Joseph. Through their performances, Union Dance brought notions of empowerment and grace to the stage.

In addition to their remarkable performances, Union Dance also runs the Fit Fresh Start Schools Programme. This digital resource provides accessible exercise programmes for schools, promoting fitness and well-being through dance. With their inclusive approach, Union Dance continues to make a significant impact on the contemporary dance scene, pushing boundaries and inspiring audiences all over the world.