Dance in the forest

Posted on August 23, 2012

Choreographers from Dog Kennel Hill Project have created a woodland dance performance in a Kentish forest. Performed on August 26 and 27, Marks, Measures, Maps and Mind sets the human search for precision and perfection against the wildness of the forest. The audience will follow their forest guide into King’s Wood, near the village of Challock, Ashford, then discover dance episodes scattered among the trees.

The aim of the project, which was commissioned by Stour Valley Arts, South East Dance and Turner Contemporary, is to take dance out of the theatre and into the natural environment. There will be three performances each day, at midday, 3pm and 6pm, with each show transformed by the changing natural light. The audience will be split into two groups, following different dancers through the forest, sometimes overlapping.

The performance is free, but you should book your place through www.turnercontemporary.org, info@turnercontemporary.org or on 01843 233 000, as numbers are limited to 40 per show. For noon and 6pm performances, a free shuttle bus will operate from Ashford Railway Station to the forest. See the Turner Contemporary website for directions and booking details. Visitors should be at the forest car park 15 minutes before the performance starts, where they will be greeted by their guides at the Kent Cultural Baton silver caravan.

Audience members should wear sturdy shoes. Families are encouraged to carry young children in slings, as the terrain may not be suitable for buggies. Wheelchair users should call ahead to discuss their individual needs. Performances last about 90 minutes.

Photograph: Anthony Wadham

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.