BirdGang at the Young Vic

Posted on July 2, 2015

BirdGang Dance Company is the new associate company at the Young Vic. This is the first time the London venue has appointed dance artists as associates.

Established in 2005, BirdGang developed a relationship with the Young Vic with A Harlem Dream, part of Dance Umbrella 2014 (reviewed Dancing Times November 2014). Led by artistic directors Ivan Blackstock, Simeon Qsyea, Quails (Ukweli Roach) and Kendra J Horsburgh, BirdGang has its roots in hip hop culture. As associate company, it is now based at offices in the Young Vic, and will have the opportunity to collaborate with the theatre’s team while pursuing future projects.

Ivan Blackstock said: “Since our conception, BirdGang Dance company have strived to bring thought-provoking and innovative work to UK and international audiences. Using our signature style (Aahehop) to tell powerful stories and paint vivid ‘pictures’ is a passion that has united us over the ten years we’ve been choreographing and directing together. I speak for all of us when I say we are truly honoured and excited to be working with an organisation like the Young Vic who are renowned for their daring and vibrant productions, along with their dedication to investing in and developing young artists in the UK.”

David Lan, artistic director of the Young Vic, said: “We’re thrilled that for the first time we have a dance company as an associate company living and working with us in our theatre. To be part of the evolution of BirdGang’s ambitious and dynamic work in the theatre will be a big adventure.”

For an interview with BirdGang’s Ukweli Roach, see the May 2014 issue of Dance Today.

Zoe Anderson

Zoë was born in Edinburgh, and saw her first dance performances at the Festival there. She is the dance critic of The Independent, and has also written for The Independent on Sunday, The Scotsman and Dancing Times. In 2002, she received her doctorate from the University of York for a thesis on “Nationhood and epic romance: Ariosto, Sidney, Spenser”. She is the author of The Royal Ballet: 75 Years and The Ballet Lover’s Companion.