Motionhouse to Perform on Location Across South Somerset

This summer we have invited Motionhouse to perform their outdoor production, Captive, at three locations in South Somerset, taking contemporary dance out of the theatre.

Motionhouse have performed on the Octagon stage many times, and over the years we have established a strong relationship with the dance company.  We are delighted to invite them back to Somerset where four of their dancers will perform ‘Captive’ a short 30 minute dance at family friendly events in Yeovil, Ilminster and Somerton.

Captive, pictured above, will be performed by Motionhouse in Yeovil Town Centre as part of Super Saturday, at Ilminster Recreation Grounds for Ilminster Midsummer Experience and Somerton as part of Somerstock later this year.

Motionhouse are pioneers in outdoor dance and are well practiced at adapting to non-theatre spaces, with their productions touring to festivals across the world. Their outdoor dance performances are designed to be performed up-close rather than in a conventional theatre, to inspire audiences who are not necessarily familiar with dance in their own communities.

Their work takes inspiration from common human concerns and our connection to the world in which we live, exploring the pressure of time, fear and captivity.

Captive is inspired by Rainer Maria Rilke’s poem The Panther, and explores notions of captivity.

Excerpt from The Panther by Maria Rilke

As he paces in cramped circles, over and over,

the movement of his powerful soft strides

is like a ritual dance around a center

in which a mighty will stands paralyzed.

Captive is extremely physical, the production blends dance, acrobatics and aerial work inside a large cage, whilst exploring human relationships in captivity.

The Octagon has invited Motionhouse to perform Captive at Ilminster Midsummer Experience on Sunday 27th June 2021, at Somerstock in Somerton on Saturday 10th July 2021 and at Super Saturday in Yeovil Town Centre on Saturday 18th September 2021.

Captive is created with support from Arts Council England, Birmingham Hippodrome, Without Walls, Swindon Dance, and Bristol City Council. Motionhouse is supported by Arts Council England with additional support from Warwick District Council and is a Hippodrome Associate Artist.

These performances are supported by the Move To Improve project which aims to make dance more accessible and seen by a wider audience outside of the theatre environment.

More information on Move To Improve can be found here: https://www.octagon-theatre.co.uk/creative-arts/move-to-improve/ 

The Move To Improve project has been made possible thanks to funding from South Somerset District Council, Arts Council England and ABRI Housing Group.