BELONGING: 50 years of DANCE!!!
This year the Val Deakin Dance Theatre will celebrate its 50th year –
50 years of bringing dance to the Taranaki and wider New Zealand community
50 years of dance education in public schools with performances and workshops
50 years of providing a performance outlet for many dance students from all dance schools in Taranaki (and beyond)
50 years of presenting a huge variety of works choregraphed by acclaimed international choreographer Val Deakin.
50 years of entertaining and enriching the community with Dance Theatre productions
50 years of providing dance for many occasions in the Taranaki area – and of belonging to Taranaki
The programme for the 50th anniversary is entitled Belonging. It will include part of Steps in Time which is one of choreographer Val Deakin’s most memorable works. The work was created to celebrate the centennial of New Zealand Women’s Suffrage and is a celebration of women and the many roles they can take in life. Val was awarded a Suffrage Centennial Medal for her work for women and for this work in particular.
There is a new work entitled Twilight on the programme which was created for the Dance Theatre at the end of 2022 by Israeli dancer/choreographer Evgenia Plotkin Mihailov (who lived in New Plymouth until recently). This work explores the idea of identity and belonging – to a country, a place or an idea. This programme will be the premiere of this work. The dancers have had input into the creation of the work – so it speaks strongly to them – and we think that the theme will also resonate with the audience.
Other works on the programme will include Three Salts, a short comic piece about three sailors and a dance based on the myth of Narcissus set to the exciting music of Astor Piazzola. A new work, Devon Street, with music being specially composed by New Plymouth musician Larry Henry will feature scenes and themes from New Plymouth’s main street.
Performances will be at the Dance Theatre’s historic home, the Dance Centre, on July 7, 8 and 9. Tickets are available from Piano Works or by phoning 06 7527743.
The Val Deakin Dance Theatre is extremely grateful to the Toi foundation and the New Plymouth District Council Creative Communities Scheme for their support for this programme.