I'm collating some information on whether touring dance companies are struggling to find suitable performances spaces in Manchester - whether they are looking for large theatres, smaller venues, site-specific or studio spaces.
I already have some anecdotal evidence that this is the case but really need to build up a stronger body of evidence.
Manchester likes to think of itself as a leading creative hub within the UK but I believe that from a dance perspective - whether classical, contemporary or experimental - there is a real shortage of opportunity to perform (and thus see) dance and a corresponding lack of coordinated activity to drive Manchester as a centre for dance.
This is not to underplay the role of the Lowry, which is the leading dance venue in the region with a wide range of associated activities. But the Lowry is a generalist theatre with competing theatrical imperatives, despite its three differently-sized venues, and significantly, is not in central Manchester.
If you work for a touring dance company that has experienced difficulties in finding a venue in Manchester and then booked national tours missing Manchester out can you please let me know what your experiences have been.
Any information about knockbacks, unanswered calls, scheduling difficulties or simply not knowing who to approach due the city's unfocused dance offering, would be most welcome.
It is possible that the current economic situation and very different arts funding environment in the UK has a part to play in reducing touring activity and risk-taking both within company programming and venue booking priorities.
Leave a message here, email me at petejacobs(at)msn.com or message me via Facebook.![]()
I already have some anecdotal evidence that this is the case but really need to build up a stronger body of evidence.
Manchester likes to think of itself as a leading creative hub within the UK but I believe that from a dance perspective - whether classical, contemporary or experimental - there is a real shortage of opportunity to perform (and thus see) dance and a corresponding lack of coordinated activity to drive Manchester as a centre for dance.
This is not to underplay the role of the Lowry, which is the leading dance venue in the region with a wide range of associated activities. But the Lowry is a generalist theatre with competing theatrical imperatives, despite its three differently-sized venues, and significantly, is not in central Manchester.
If you work for a touring dance company that has experienced difficulties in finding a venue in Manchester and then booked national tours missing Manchester out can you please let me know what your experiences have been.
Any information about knockbacks, unanswered calls, scheduling difficulties or simply not knowing who to approach due the city's unfocused dance offering, would be most welcome.
It is possible that the current economic situation and very different arts funding environment in the UK has a part to play in reducing touring activity and risk-taking both within company programming and venue booking priorities.
Leave a message here, email me at petejacobs(at)msn.com or message me via Facebook.
