Tag: Dance Base

Dance Base announces the first shows in its 25th festival programme 

Scotland’s National Centre for Dance, Dance Base is known for curating an ambitious programme of Scottish and international shows every August, giving a world-class platform to up-and-coming and established dance artists.

Dance Base Festival 26 in partnership with Assembly, a collaboration now in its fourth year, is Dance Base’s 25th festival programme – a milestone the team is marking with a fantastic line-up of shows.  

2026 is also a landmark year for Dance Base as the organisation celebrates 25 years in its purpose-built home in the heart of Edinburgh’s Grassmarket which becomes one of the festival epicentres every August.  

As always, Dance Base nurtures and celebrates the breadth of Scottish dance talent, this year featuring, among others, YDance – Scottish Youth Dance company, Penny Chivas and her politically charged Where We Choose to Stand and Jack Anderson, Charlotte Mclean, Malin Lewis’ not for glory which dissects heritage and resuscitates tradition, Marc Brew’s moving Boys Don’t Dance and Two Destination Language’s 40/40 celebrating a life of a woman, artist and a migrant.

Outwith the UK, artists from Brazil, Basque Country, Italy, Netherlands, Japan and Taiwan call Dance Base their home this August, presenting work as part of Taiwan Season, São Paulo Showcase and Basque Showcase.

From Breakdancing to Butoh, from Pole Dance to politics – this diverse programme caters to both dance curious and Dance Base’s regular audiences.  

Tickets go on sale on Friday at 12 noon at assemblyfestival.com and on Monday 30 March at edfest.com with further shows to be announced in due course.  

NEW SHOWS ANNOUNCED  

Penny Chivas – Where We Choose to Stand (7-16 August)

A powerful dance-theatre show inspired by activism and political change. Blending movement, music, real stories and moments of audience connection, it invites reflection on the choices we make—and what it means to stand together. 

YDance & National Youth Arts Wales – Celtic Collective (7-16 August)

Bringing together the National Youth Dance Companies of Scotland and Wales for an electrifying night of bold choreography, this special show celebrates the power of dance, blending distinct cultural influences with cutting-edge vibrant contemporary dance. 

Erain / Helena Wilhemsson – Jarraibiderik Gabe / Trembling Frequencies (7-16 August)

A double bill of emerging choreographic voices from the Basque Country. Bodies and objects create shifting physical landscapes in Jarraibiderik Gabe, while the mysterious and dynamic solo of Trembling Frequencies takes a look at the shifting landscapes within. 

Marc Brew Company – Boys Don’t Dance (7-23 August)

A poignant dance theatre show by acclaimed disabled choreographer and dancer Marc Brew, it draws on his experience as the only boy in a rural Australian town who wanted to dance, defying societal expectations. It combines movement, BMX tricks, storytelling, lighting and an uplifting 80s soundtrack, alongside visual projections and animation. 

T.F. Cia de Dança – Border Bodies (7-30 August)

Border Bodies desires to rediscover ways of being together in times of social segregation. Despite their diverse backgrounds, artists unite, believing that their differences empower each other when they act as one.  

LEI Dance Theatre – Proximities (6-30 August) 

LEI Dance Theatre and Lao-French choreographer Olé Khamchanla create a captivating quintet about boundaries and rules, distance and closeness, alienation and connection. An intelligent, imaginative show, questioning blend of traditional, contemporary and classical styles. 

Mailantia Dance Company – Under Mask (6-30 August) 

What lies beneath the roles and identities we choose to play? Drawing upon folk ritual and a battery of cross-cultural movement styles, Lai Yun-Chi’s company Mailantia presents a bold, intricate quartet about concealment and transformation. 

COSMIC DANCE – Space In Between (9-16 August)

A South Asian triple bill exploring tensions between intention and outcome, self and society. Blending Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Contemporary movement, three interconnected works examine regret, conflict and misalignment, revealing unseen forces shaping identity, relationships and choice. 

Jack Anderson, Charlotte Mclean, Malin Lewis – not for glory (11-23 August)

A rebellious unravelling of traditional dance and music. not for glory is bodies and bagpipes, kilts and queerness, a battering, flinging skirl. This dance-theatre gig resuscitates tradition, dissects heritage, not for glory – but for what? 

Corpo Máquina – Poles (18-30 August)

A champion pole dance artist. A spider-like steel structure. A live soundscape. At the cutting edge of personal and public space, pole dance virtuoso Yvonne Smink delivers a performance of technical strength and intimacy, choreographed by Guilherme Miotto. 

Karl Jay-Lewin and Matteo Fargion – If I Can’t Dance I’m Not Coming (18-27 August)

Reimagining Fritz Lang’s 1927 Metropolis as a score for dance, an eclectic ensemble of performers embraces dignity over virtuosity, blending rebellion with humour in a process shaped with clarity and care. 

Compagnia Bellanda – Il canto dell’assiolo (18-30 August)

In the silence of a summer night, a call returns. A duet rooted in Breakin’ explores love’s borders – between desire and control, tenderness and violence. Breath, language, and movement intertwine, exposing intimacy as threshold, conflict, and transformation. 

Two Destination Language – 40/40 (18-23 August)

An inspiring and moving celebration of Two Destination Language co-artistic director Katherina Radeva’s 40 years as a woman, a migrant and an artist. Claiming space on a dance floor, she dances with joyous abundance and presents stories of her past and present.  

Dance Base Yokohama/Conan Amok – R/evolution(s) (18-30 August)

A contemporary Butoh work, this piece reimagines Butoh for the present while carrying its inheritance forward. Uniting Conan Amok – heir to the lineage of Dairakudakan, one of Japan’s leading Butoh companies – and contemporary dancers, renewing the form from within. 

Frauke Requardt and Vivienne Franzmann – Anatomy Of Survival (25-29 August)

A woman walks into a cafe. She orders a coffee. The barista doesn’t understand her request. The woman loses her sh*t. Chaos reigns.  

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED 

Dance Base’s PRIME – We Are (6-9 August)

Who are we when we’re together? When we’re alone? When we fight for what we believe in? Hot off the heels of its 10th anniversary last year, Dance Base’s in-house company for dancers over 60, PRIME premiers new work from Artistic Director Kally Lloyd-Jones and choreographer Malcolm Sutherland. 

Dance Base’s Common Ground(11-16 August)

Dance Base’s two in-house companies PRIME (for dancers over 60s) and Lothian Youth Dance Company (for 14-21 year-olds) come together in a quadruple bill to explore the pressures we all face. Features new pieces created over the past year by PRIME’s Artistic Director Kally Lloyd-Jones, as well as guest choreographers Malcolm Sutherland, Tough Boys Collective and Rosie Mackley. 

Dance Base’s Fringe Fragments (24-25 August)

Catch a glimpse of the next big thing. An industry pitching platform open to audiences, Dance Base’s Fringe Fragments spotlights dance artists from Scotland and around the world as they share 15-minute excerpts of tour-ready performances. A unique event strengthening Dance Base’s position as the major launchpad for dance artists at the Edinburgh Fringe.  

Continuing Dance Base’s commitment to providing a home for Edinburgh’s thriving dance community throughout the Festival, the venue also hosts a vibrant programme of public and professional dance classes from Monday 3 – Sunday 31 August. 

Dance Base to celebrate 25th year in Grassmarket home

2026 represents a landmark year for Dance Base, Scotland’s National Centre for Dance, as the organisation celebrates 25 years in its purpose-built home in the heart of Edinburgh’s Grassmarket.

Established in 1993 as a charity to foster dance in all its forms, Dance Base spent its first decade operating within venues across Edinburgh and the Lothians, including the Assembly Rooms, before securing a permanent home to open as Scotland’s National Centre for Dance in 2001. Over the past quarter century, the award-winning and accessible space, designed by Malcolm Fraser, has been a home for many within Scotland’s thriving dance community.

In Autumn 2026 Dance Base will host a series of special events, inviting Scotland’s dance community and new audiences alike join them within the space to celebrate this important milestone in the organisation’s history.

Full details of these events will be announced in Spring 2026.

A Home for Dance for All

Operating year-round, Dance Base offers a dynamic programme of specially curated public performances, alongside classes and workshops. These are taught by a network of extraordinary teachers (many of whom are dance artists in their own right) who support dancers at every level and stage of their development.

With a focus on championing Scotland-based artists such as Tess Letham and Sadiq Ali, and broadening our understanding of who can and should dance, with projects like PRIME, (Dance Base’s in-house company for dancers over 60) Dance Base continues to help dance flourish and change lives in Scotland and beyond.

2026 also marks the 10th anniversary of Dance Base’s in-house Lothian Youth Dance Company (LYDC) (pictured above).

Working with a new cohort of up to 20 talented young dancers aged 14-21 from across the city each year, the programme offers intensive and unique experiences for the young people to expand their contemporary dance technique and performance skills, with opportunities to work with acclaimed choreographers and to perform to international audiences during the Dance Base Festival.

In addition to weekly Dance for Parkinson’s classes that have been running for 15 years, Dance Base also plays a leading role in the delivery of the Dance for Parkinson’s Scotland Network. A joint initiative managed in collaboration with Scottish Ballet and delivered in partnership with Parkinson’s UK, this pioneering programme offers inclusive, supportive movement classes designed for people living with Parkinson’s, as well as their families and carers.

Alongside this community focus, since launching its first Festival programme in 2002, Dance Base has also established itself as the home for dance at the Fringe, curating an annual programme which showcases local talent alongside artists and companies from across the globe. Delivered through a unique partnership with Assembly Festival for the past three years, Dance Base Festival returns in August 2026.

© Eoin Carey

Dance Base CEO Jeanie Scott said: “From providing an essential launchpad for Scottish dance artist careers, to hosting and nurturing our most bespoke and caring programmes like Dance for Parkinson’s – this extraordinary building has become a true home for dance in Scotland.

Dance Base Artistic Director Tony Mills said: “Looking towards the next 25 years, we will build upon what makes Dance Base so special: our commitment to foster nurturing and inclusive spaces to dance, and be a source of joy, inspiration, growth and excitement whether you are a professional, a passionate amateur, or someone who needs extra support to take to the floor.”

Exclusive dance workshop comes to Edinburgh

ASPIRING dancers in Edinburgh are set to experience a transformative day of contemporary dance training with leading professionals.

Leading contemporary dance artists Errol White and Davina Givan, bring their acclaimed Elite Intensive to Dance Base on Saturday 18th January offering a rare opportunity to train with industry professionals.

As course leaders for The Scottish Institute’s (The SI) pioneering BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance degree, Errol & Davina will share their expertise through an immersive day of training, focusing on the creative processes and that define their celebrated repertoire.

This exclusive session will guide participants through company class, focusing on skeletal alignment, core stability, and fluid movement.

Dancers will also engage in choreographic exercises, delving into group work and solos from White & Givan’s repertoire, offering insights into professional company work and the artistry of contemporary dance.

The pair said: “The Elite Intensives are a fantastic way to connect with the next generation of dance artists. We aim to provide an inspiring and rigorous experience that offers a glimpse into professional training and performance.

“Embedding White & Givan as artists in residence within the Institute is a rare opportunity within the educational world for practicing artists and students to evolve together.

“Passion in sharing knowledge lies at the heart of what we do, and we are extremely proud to play an integral role in developing a new generation of dance artists.”
 
With over 25 years of experience collaborating as performance artists, Errol and Davina have built an acclaimed body of work that engages audiences on a physical and emotional level.

The duos appointment as artists-in-residence at The SI creates a unique bridge between professional practice and education, offering a opportunity to share their expertise and passion for dance with the next generation of dancers.

“The inclusion of sport science and the role it plays in the training of young dance artists at the Scottish Institute is vital, preparing them for a long and fulfilling future career as successful dance practitioners.” White & Givan added.

Dance Base is Scotland’s National Centre for Dance. As a creative charity it aims to see people across Scotland engaging in dance as an art form, a way to exercise and a way of life. 

It supports Scottish dance artists to develop successful careers and develops opportunities for dance to be used to support people’s health and wellbeing. 

The SI is set to welcome its first cohort in September 2025, making it the only higher education provider in Scotland to offer a course that is led by professional dance artists specifically tailored to contemporary dance.

Students will benefit from The SI’s state-of-the-art technologies and professional-grade studios, as well as access to the renowned Howden Park Theatre.

The degree will couple sport science and dance training and is poised to produce well-rounded, successful dance practitioners prepared for long and fulfilling careers.

Mark Langley, Principal of The SI, said: “Having White & Givan as artists in residence creates an extraordinary environment where practicing artists and students evolve together. 

“Our students won’t just learn about the profession – they’ll be immersed in it, working alongside industry specialists, performing in professional venues, and developing their craft through a carefully structured progression from core techniques to professional practice.

“The Scottish Institute was created by professionals to educate the next generation of professionals, and this new BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance program exemplifies that mission.”

The Scottish Institute is Scotland’s only fully CDMT accredited performing arts institution, also holding accreditations from Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), Council of Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT) and Imperial Society for the Teachers of Dance (ISTD).

The session is free of charge, offering a rare opportunity for Scotland’s emerging dance talent to work closely with two of its most prominent contemporary artists.

To book a slot at the Elite Intensive day, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/white-givan-elite-intensive-edinburgh-tickets-1137763133159

If you have additional questions on the course, contact: admissions@thesi.co.uk

Duke of Edinburgh visits Dance Base

HRH Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, witnesses first-hand how Dance Base helps dance flourish and changes lives

HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, paid a visit to Dance Base, Scotland’s National Centre for Dance, on Saturday. The Edinburgh-based charity has a mission to encourage and support the potential for dance in everyone.

Jim Hollington, Dance Base CEO, said: “We were delighted to welcome His Royal Highness to Dance Base.

“In 2001 his brother, His Majesty King Charles, officially opened our brand-new centre on Edinburgh’s Grassmarket. We were delighted to show HRH some of what we have achieved over nearly a quarter of a century, helping dance to flourish and change lives.”

During his visit, the Duke of Edinburgh received a tour of the purpose-built building, a centre for creating, nurturing, and celebrating dance in the heart of Edinburgh.

Completed in 2001, the building hosts four unique studios, over 60 classes a week, broad reaching support for dance artists, performances, international exchanges, community projects and more – all delivered by a knowledgeable and passionate team. HRH visited children taking part in an Aerial Skills class, hosted by All or Nothing, and dancers in a West African dance class.

Duke of Edinburgh also enjoyed a series of curated performances featuring dancers aged from their teens to their eighties, offering a snippet of the important work the organisation has been doing across their public, professional and Health & Wellbeing programmes. These included:

Dance for Parkinson’s film – When We Dance

When We Dance is a collaboration between Dance Base’s Dance for Parkinson’s and filmmaker Lucas Chih-Peng Kao. The collaboration comprises of people living with Parkinson’s, their families, friends, carers, our volunteers, and a team of professional artists. Running since 2013, Dance for Parkinson’s is a core part of Dance Base’s Health and Wellbeing work and established a strong president of supporting people living with neurological conditions through dance. Dance Base has supported satellite groups to be established all over Scotland and continues to support the network.

24 Carat Gold – Freak Out

24 Carat Gold is a company offering opportunities to underrepresented elderly dancers with current members ranging in age from their 60s to 90s. They will perform Freak Out, choreographed by Alan Grieg.

Lothian Youth Dance Company – Kids Today

Lothian Youth Dance Company are Dance Base’s in-house dance company for young dancers aged 14 to 21 years old. Inviting new members each year, LYDC provides opportunity for young people to find their creative voice through dance. They will perform a piece titled Kids Today, choreographed by Dance Base’s Artistic Director Tony Mills.

Jo Richards – Barbieland

Jo Richards has been a professional dancer and dance teacher for over 23 years. She teaches Commercial Improvers, Commercial Jazz Beginners and Street Dance classes at Dance Base and represented the organisation at the 2010 Commonwealth Games Ceremony in India. She will perform her piece Barbieland alongside students from her dance classes.

The Dance Base team was proud to showcase their achievements and broad reach which includes:

  • 50,000+ attendances at public classes
  • 10,000 attendances at our August festival performances
  • 50+ artist residencies where dance artists based in Scotland come to create new work
  • 330+ live performances in August and throughout the year
  • 60+ weekly classes in 12+ dance styles

They also talked about the upcoming events at the organisation, including Skills ‘N’ Billz, a Breakin’ battle on Sunday 26 May featuring Breakers from across the UK and beyond, invited for the daylong battle; Dance with Pride event to celebrate Edinburgh Pride and this term’s specialist workshops in Reggaeton, Ballroom and Contemporary techniques.

On 6 June, Dance Base announces the 25+ shows from Scotland and all over the world which will be presented this August as part of Dance Base 2024 Festival in association with Assembly Festival.

New Co-Chairs at Dance Base

Dance Base is delighted to announce the appointment of Alice McGrath and Paul Fitzpatrick as the new co-Chairs of the Board of Directors.

Paul is currently the Director of Creative Engagement at the National Theatre of Scotland and is one of the most respected arts producers and cultural leaders in Scottish performing arts.

Prior to joining the NTS, he was Chief Executive of Imaginate, developing theatre and dance for young people, and joint CEO of the Catherine Wheels Theatre Company. 

Alice has held a variety of leadership roles in Scottish arts including strategy development lead with Federation of Scottish Theatre and director roles with Scottish Dance Theatre, Macrobert Arts Centre as well as Imaginate. 

Alice joined Queen Margaret University in October 2021 and teaches on the Arts Management and Cultural Policy MA.

The sharing of the Chair role between two people brings different and complimentary perspectives into board leadership and increases the available resource for the level of commitment that this role requires. 

Their appointments are part of our strategy to strengthen the industry knowledge and capability within the Board as we develop the sustainable model for the long-term future of Scotland’s National Centre for Dance.

Paul Fitzpatrick commented: “Dance Base was founded the year after I moved to Scotland, and I have been a huge fan of the organization since the beginning. 

“Dance is what got me into the arts in the first place when I was just five years old and saw a classmate practicing a time step in the school playground.

“So, it feels very special and important to me that I have this opportunity, alongside my dear friend and colleague Alice McGrath, to support the fantastic team at Dance Base and to take the organization from strength to strength.” 

Alice McGrath added: “Like Paul I’m also a huge fan of Dance Base and the Scottish dance community, having worked with the sector for many years. 

“I’m really delighted to have this opportunity to work with the organization and Paul in a different way, and together with the board, to support the team in developing and realizing a sustainable and strategic plan for dance, that helps ensure that its value to our culture and communities is known and understood.”  

Jill Breingan, Acting Chair, expressed a warm welcome to the new co-chairs: “I am delighted to welcome Alice and Paul to the Board. It’s an important moment for the organization as we implement plans for an ambitious and sustainable future supporting dance and dance artists.

“Paul and Alice bring a wealth of experience in running arts organisations and working with artists, they will be an invaluable resource for our leadership team.”

Dance Base hosts international Artistic Development Week

Dance Base Scotland and Edinburgh International Festival have announced the 24 dance artists taking part in an Artistic Development Week this month.

Hailing from across Scotland and eight African countries, the dancers will come together at Dance Base in Edinburgh to connect, collaborate, and network with their international peers. Expertise in dance disciplines range from contemporary to hip-hop, Bhuto, to Indian classical dance.

Supported by the British Council, the development programme will take place in the run-up to the significant performance of Pina Bausch’s The Rite of Spring / common ground[s] in August.

A highlight of the Edinburgh International Festival, the performance marks the first collaboration between the Pina Bausch Foundation (Germany), École des Sables (Senegal) and Sadler’s Wells (UK).

The artistic development week will be led by Artistic Director of Dance Base, Tony Mills and will focus on daily classes and work in small groups where the participants can take part in reflections and conversations with a focus on creation and artistic devising.

The aim of the project is for the Scottish and international artists to connect and share practice, opening themselves to new techniques and creative approaches. They will have the opportunity to network with national and international peers and to create work together.

Amy Robertson, a dance artist from Edinburgh and one of the twelve Scottish participants is delighted to be involved in the international festival. She said: “Learning and sharing practice on international platforms is such a valuable part of our development and I’m really looking forward to all that comes out of this week.

“With a lot of work being made in smaller constellations of artists, working with 12 colleagues from across Scotland and artists from wider international communities is sure to be a rich and valuable experience for all involved.”

Also from Scotland, dance artist Suzi Cunningham adds: “This is an incredible opportunity to connect people from across continents and to learn from the artistry and passion of others.

“I am extremely excited about making new connections and having this opportunity to truly dance without limitations, and in ways I don’t allow myself or don’t usually seek out in my practice”.

Speaking ahead of the development week, Tony Mills, Artistic Director for Dance Base said about the collaboration: “We are beyond excited to be able to host 24 artists from Scotland and across Africa as part of a collaboration with Edinburgh International Festival and their professional artist development programme.

“Dancers who will be performing as part of the Ecole des Sables & Sadler’s Wells production of the Rite of Spring, will meet and connect with a range of Scottish dance artists to share practice and build relationships for one week.

“This is a unique moment that will be taking place under our roof at Dance Base. In Scotland, it is a rare occasion when this many professional independent dance artists can get together and get busy. I want to say a huge thanks to EIF for trusting us as collaborators. I personally cannot wait to get stuck in!”

Roy Luxford, Creative Director, Edinburgh International Festival added: “The International Festival at its core promotes the exchange of ideas to deepen understanding between cultures through performance.

“Creating this platform of exchange between Scottish professionals and dancers from The Rite of Spring company is a special Festival moment, and together with our partners the British Council and Dance Base we can continue our commitment to artistic exchange and development.

“I look forward to this exciting week at Dance Base ahead of the performances of The Rite of Spring/ common ground[s] at The Playhouse Theatre this August”.  

Speaking about the artistic development week, Norah Campbell from British Council Scotland concluded: “Building platforms for international connection is at the heart of what we do at the British Council, and we’re delighted to help bring these amazing dance artists together – putting a spotlight on local and global talent, helping them all to reach new, international audiences.

“I’ve no doubt the experience will spark new ideas and will allow all the artists to build strong networks for the future.”

Assembly Festival extends it’s wings for Fringe 2023

Assembly Festival Dates: 02 – 28 Aug 2023 

Assembly Festival has today (Wednesday 03 May) announced a further 80 shows for its Fringe 2023 programme. This year, the festival is extending its wings across Edinburgh, beyond its festival hubs at Assembly George Square and Assembly Rooms to two new venues, with a co-curated programme at Assembly @ Dance Base and a residency at Murrayfield Ice Rink. 

Recirquel Cirque Danse, the company behind 2019’s critically acclaimed My Land, will take over the art deco inspired arena at Murrayfield Ice Rink with an immersive circus experience IMA, directed by Bence Vagi, 04 – 27 August. 

In an installation space inspired by the starry sky, audiences will participate in a unique ritual guided by a 21st-century shaman, and adventure into the unknown territories of the human mind.  

 
IMA | Various Times | 04-27 Aug | Assembly at Murrayfield Ice Rink 

Assembly’s family programme includes more circus, with Chevalier – Hobbyhorse Circus, an irresistibly charming homage to circus horses and the silent movie era; and Cartoooon!! That mixes Japanese Manga animation with hilarious antics and unicycling for a live performance that jumps out from the cartoon world. 

The festivals youngest audiences will be entertained as Monski Mouse and friends return with the renowned Monski Mouse’s Baby Cabaret and Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall. There’s an enchanting beginners guide to economics with Roger McGough’s Money-Go-Round; and the Reeflings go an under-the-sea adventure in DIVE, an immersive multi-sensory experience for children with SEN and PMLD. 

In Cabaret, Broadway Diva brings the best West End Wonders, Broadway Belters, and Earworms that you know and love to Assembly’s Drawing Room. The Māui legend is retold with rhinestones and glitter in Rutene Spooner’s Thoroughly Modern Māui; Scotland’s premier quiz company bring and interactive experience where anyone can win with Goose’s Quizzes Elimination Game; and there’s outrageous drag, burlesque and more with Ginava’s Messy Friends.  

Assembly is proud to welcome Kyiv City Ballet for their first visit to Edinburgh at the festival’s flagship venue, Assembly Hall. A Tribute to Peace is a programme of excerpts from some of the company’s favourite pieces, showcasing the resilience of these exceptional dancers and people of Ukraine. A portion of the proceeds from every performance will be donated to charities supporting Ukraine. 

 
Kyiv City Ballet | 19:00 | 03-28 Aug | Main Hall 

Also at Assembly Hall, the festival launches with a celebration of the 2023 programme and highlights from some of the best and biggest productions in the Assembly Gala (Wed 03 Aug); and inspired by a tale as old as time, Matador is a fiery fusion of burlesque, dance and jaw-dropping circus acts, an emotionally charged journey through love and its many faces. 

Dance takes centre stage at Assembly Festival in 2023, with a co-curated programme at Assembly @ Dance Base. Plus, a high-energy fusion of commercial dance intertwining ballet and street with contemporary and breakdance in Beats on Pointe; powerful full-femme, full-bodied dance in Angel Monster; blending the instinctive and spontaneous quality of live performance with a view through the eye of the camera in Shoot the Cameraman; and conjuring a realm somewhere between online/offline, For you: wicked draws on experiences in camming, life modelling, stripping and formal dance training.  

Once again comedy has a strong presence in Assembly’s programme, and there’s plenty of laughs to be had with stand-up from Gail Porter: Hung, Drawn and Portered; Jo Griffin: The Power Hour (Perfect, The Paddock); Larry Owens Live (ABC, HBO, Netflix); Mad Ron: Crime School as played by Steve Lee; Fringe favourite Reuben Kaye: The Butch is Back; Robin Tran: Don’t Look at Me (Historical Roasts, Straight Up Stand Up); Sophia Cleary: It Gets Worse (MOMMY, SmileKnife); Urooj Ashfaq: Oh No! (Queens of Comedy); and comedy line-ups at Liars & Clowns: A Late Night Comedy Show and Aboriginal Comedy AllStars. 

Exploring the fringes of the genre, there’s musical comedy with 30 Minute Musicals: Top Gun and Comedians’ DJ Battles; improv in Aaaand Now For Something Completely Improvised; the alternative and the absurd in drag king show How to Flirt: The TED XXX Talk, The Poor Rich, and The Power of Yep; comedy sketches from BriTANicK: Work In Progress; storytelling in 5 Mistakes That Changed History and Skye Scraper: The Life and Times of a Drag Queen Accountant; drag, comedy and cabaret collide in I consent; and a performance performed simultaneously on stage and on the big screen in The Umbilical Brothers: The Distraction. 

From the big screen to the stage comes the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s production of Big Fish, based on the book by Daniel Wallace and Tim Burton’s 2003 film; and Edges, a contemporary song-cycle from the creators of The Greatest Showman and La La Land.

There’s more music as the smash-hit gig theatre What Girls Are Made Of returns for its final Scottish dates; Jon Culshaw and Erin Armstrong star in Lena; a young Jehovah’s Witness comes to terms with his sexuality in Horizon Showcase: Birthmarked; a musical feast of storytelling in Of Moonset and the Milky Way; and The Beatbox Collective ask What’s Your Sound? 

 
What Girls Are Made Of | 13:00 | 04-27 Aug | Music Hall  

There’s something for everyone in Assembly’s theatre programme – from new takes on the classics with The HandelBards cycle-powered version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, to a breadth of new writing – kitchen-sink drama meets post-apocalyptic horror in The Hunger; a life drawing class plunges into chaos in Artist/Muse; A young boxer tells us his story, from his rise to fame to tragic fall from grace in Shadow Boxing; The Stronger examines the role and position of women in society; and four musicians seal themselves in an underground studio In Everglade Studio.  

The realms of science-fiction are explored with a drama about feminism, climate change, and David Bowie in ALONE; an uncanny adventure with friendly cryptids in Hive; and Ray Bradbury’s Tomorrow’s Child is turned into an immersive blindfolded experience for the audio equivalent of a five-star dinner.   

Queer stories are shared with DARLING BOY, a hilarious and heart-breaking ode to growing up; a lip-sync battle like you’ve never seen before in Split Lip, a story of trauma and forgiveness; and a show about a queer, autistic, latinx caterpillar, on the edge of Super-trans-metamorphosis in Dre Spisto: El Dizzy Beast. 

There’s theatrical character-comedy in Kravitz, Cohen, Bernstein and Me and GUSH; politics and clowns go hand in hand with Finnish clown duo Mike and Zin in Don Quixote; from the frontline of a failed Presidential campaign, Manifest Destiny’s Child is a hilarious, true account of how America woke up in Trumplandia; while the Westminster circus is explored in Dom – The Play. Breaking the Castle is a powerful comedy-drama exploring the correlation between mental health and addiction; and an audacious hell’s-eye view of The Passion of Christ in the darkly comic The Devil’s Passion.

The life of the artist is under the spotlight in an uncompromising portrait of an undisputed genius and visionary artist in Picasso: Le Monstre Sacré; André & Dorine follows a pair of elderly artists in a deeply emotional non-verbal work; and a young, unknown writer becomes a legendary playwright in Jacob Storms’ Tennessee Rising: The Dawn of Tennessee Williams.  

 
André & Dorine | 15:15 | 07-20 Aug | Ballroom 

Assembly kicks off the festival season on Friday 14 July with the opening of its festival hub Assembly George Sqaure Gardens, where it plays host to the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival through to Sunday 23 July. The city’s largest free-to-enter annual celebration of Scotland’s larder returns Friday 21 – Sunday 30 July with the Edinburgh Food Festival; before Assembly Festival’s Fringe programmes begins on Wednesday 02 August.  

Assembly Festival is one of Edinburgh’s largest and the Fringe’s longest running multi-venue operators. It’s 2023 Fringe programme will take place across Edinburgh, with festival hubs at Assembly Rooms, Assembly Hall, Assembly George Square Studios and Gardens, Assembly Roxy, Assembly Checkpoint, as well as venues at Assembly @ Dance Base and Assembly at Murrayfield Ice Rink. 

 

Tickets for Assembly Festival shows are available now from the Assembly Festival Box Office www.assemblyfestival.com.   

It’s all about that Base!

Celebrate International Dance Day this week with Dance Base

Dance Base, Scotland’s National Centre for Dance, is inviting everyone to celebrate this year’s International Dance Day on Saturday and take part in the fantastic summer term starting just two days later, on 1 May.

Audiences can now choose from over 50 dance classes for people of all ages and all levels of dance experience forming Dance Base’s summer term. The term will run until 24 June and feature audience favourites such as Burlesque, Bollywood, Aerial, Tap and Cuban Salsa as well as Irish dance, Musical Madness and Pilates, available as an 8-week course or drop-in classes.

As always, Dance Base provides a range of classes for the youngest (3+ yo) and mature dancers (60+ yo). It also continues its popular Dance for Parkinson’s classes suitable for people with no dance experience, aimed at developing participants’ confidence and creativity, whilst addressing Parkinson’s specific concerns such as balance, flexibility, coordination and gait.

Jim Hollington, Dance Base’s CEO said: “International Dance Day provides a fantastic excuse to celebrate all things dance, the joy it brings and the community it helps build.

“We are honoured and driven to continue to play a vital part in Scotland’s creative landscape which has been under a lot of strain over the past few years. but thanks to the high level of support from our teachers and regular dancers, who helped to make the term we’ve just finished much busier than anticipated, we’re able to open over 50 classes in the summer term.

“Our future depends on your support, so I hope you’ll celebrate the International Dance Day with us and sign up to one of our fantastic courses or drop-in classes.”

Tony Mills, Dance Base’s Artistic Director said: “We recognise that a dance class can become an incredibly meaningful experience that builds community, creativity, joy and well-being.

“At Dance Base, I consider us to be in the business of providing this kind of opportunity, so I am happy that we mark this year’s International Dance Day with a new fantastic term of over 50 classes.”

Fringe 2022: Granhøj Dans announces schedule changes

Granhøj Dans has announced some changes to its schedule of shows as part of this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. An Eve And An Adam will now run at Dance Base until August 21 at the new time of 20.30.

This timeslot was formerly where the production of This is Not Swan Lake had run but this show has finished its run early and was taken down from August 10, due to travel problems with one of the artists.

Members of the public who have tickets for This is Not Swan Lake will be contacted by the box office and offered a full refund or tickets for an alternative show. 

STONE – FACE – BOOK 

This solo performance with award-winning dancer Mikolaj Karczewski is a personal portrait made in collaboration with the obstruction master Palle Granhøj. Drawing on his father’s background as a miner, Mikolaj uses whimsical choreography to breathe life into the stones, finding music in them and from that music, dance arises. Stone – Face – Book is produced in close collaboration with PlatformaFestival in Klaipeda.  

“An outstanding stage fantasy with the incredible high-flying acrobatic dancer Mikolaj Karczewskialone on stage among the collection of gray stones of memories.” Danstidningen  

Age suitability 14+  

Dance Base Studio Three  

Aug 5-7 15:20 (1h) £18.00 (£16.00/£10.00) 

https://www.dancebase.co.uk/festival-shows/stone-face-book-granhj-dans-5-7-august-2164

An Eve And An Adam 

A beautiful, profoundly naked performance presented as nature intended. This is a performance celebrating the pure, authentic, original beauty of nudity – as a contrast to the versions given to us by social media. Increasingly we see uncovered bodies readily exposed all over social media. All kinds of pornography are easily available and widely consumed. Modesty no longer exists when it comes to the naked body in virtual culture, yet young people feel shamed by natural nudity.  In this provocative show, Palle Granhøj asks: ‘what has happened to our relationship to our natural nudity?’ 

Age suitability 16+ 

Dance Base Studio One



Aug 9-11 20:30 (1h) £16.00 (£14.00/£10.00)


Aug 12-21 20:30 (1h) £18.00 (£16.00/£10.00) 

https://www.dancebase.co.uk/festival-shows/an-eve-and-an-adam-granhj-dans-9-14-august-2195

BOLERO – EXTENDED 

An intense and high energy experience featuring 8 musicians and 9 dancers, on stage live at the beautiful Dance Base 

Boléro was written in 1928 as ballet music and the work is one of Ravel’s last and most famous. PalleGranhøj has transferred the music’s intensifying signature to a deconstructed version – and finally in its full length. The intensity of the melody and dancers increases throughout BOLERO – EXTENDED, giving it a powerful, uplifting, trance-like quality in a unique and iconic performance with nine dancers and eight cellists live onstage.  

★★★★★ “A captivating performance that leaves the audience euphoric” Cphculture   

“a dizzying experience” Danstidningen   

Age suitability 12+  

Dance Base Studio One  

Aug 23-25 19:00 (1h) £16.00 (£14.00/£10.00)  Aug 26-28 19:00 (1h) £18.00 (£16.00/£10.00) 

https://www.dancebase.co.uk/festival-shows/bolero-extended-granhj-dans-23-28-august-2189

The Granhøj works are part of the #DANISH showcase at Edinburgh Fringe 2022 presented by The Danish Arts Foundation and produced by WILDTOPIA. The showcase is supported by The Embassy of Denmark in the UK. 

Fringe venues join together to launch ticketing and reviews platform

EIGHT Edinburgh Festival Fringe producing venues – Assembly, Dance Base, Gilded Balloon, Just the Tonic, Pleasance, Summerhall, Underbelly and ZOO – are coming together for the first time to launch an updated show ticketing and reviews platform, edfest.com – providing audiences with a central hub for easy booking, information and reviews of ‘the best curated shows on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’.  

With tickets now on sale, edfest.com provides a centralised booking and reviews hub providing access to 1,159 shows across comedy, dance, theatre, and music at 140 venues, featuring performers from 32 different countries.  

Some notable performers and shows in the 2022 edfest.com line up are:

Assembly: Choir of Man, Beats on Point, Friendsical, Love Loss & Chianti and Queenz 

DanceBase: Ballet Ireland, Scottish Dance Theatre, Dan Daw Creative Projects 

Gilded Balloon:  Late’n Live, Maisie Adam, Leith Social, Henry Naylor, Jack Docherty 

Just The Tonic: Jimeoin, Tom Stade, Aliya Kanani, Jack Gleadow, Anthony Deveto 

Pleasance:  Freedom Ballet of Ukraine, Sophie Duker, Ben Hart, Tim Vine, SK Shlomo  

Summerhall:  Learning to Fly, Life is Soft, Mama Love, Talisk, Efterkland  

Underbelly: La Clique, Rhys Nicholson, Dragons & Mythical Beasts, Circa: Humans 2.0, Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch  

ZOO: Night Dances, Runners, Rocky, Sad Book, Far Gone, Every word was once an animal 

The new edfest.com website has been designed to give audiences a more bespoke experience, allowing them to search and find shows they will love.

Companies and venues will update information on a regular basis and the public will be encouraged to review shows and share with their friends. The new experience gives ticket buyers a more rounded view of what’s on offer, replacing what word of mouth and poster clippings have done in the past. 

Speaking on behalf of the eight edfest.com venues, Jim Hollington, CEO of Dance Base, comments: “The last two years have been incredibly hard for everyone in the arts and entertainment sector. It’s therefore critical that this year’s Edinburgh Fringe is a success, to protect the future of our own organisations, of the performing artists who make the Fringe, and of our contribution to the city of Edinburgh overall.  

“As producing venues, we invest a huge amount of time, energy and money curating and producing some of the best entertainment in the world and bringing that to Edinburgh. Whilst the pandemic created numerous challenges, it did allow us to stop and think about how we could collaborate and do things better.

“Across the eight edfest.com venues we share a similar vision and so it made sense for us to pool our sales and marketing resources to drive efficiencies across our own operations and ultimately make things easier for customers. Our box offices will also all be linked and audiences will be able to buy for multiple venues. 

“Crucially this year we are going on sale earlier than usual to increase the sales window for bookings and generate much needed revenue.  

“Putting the last two years behind us we would like to encourage everyone from Fringe loyalists who turn up every year, to Edinburgh locals and first timers to visit edfest.com, book some spectacular shows and once again enjoy the best possible Edinburgh Fringe experience this August. We can’t wait to get going!”