Artificial Things (2014, Stage)

Image of dancers in colourful costume

Slowly suffocating in each other’s company, a group of individuals seek escape in a bash of riotous rock-n-roll. However, their wild disorder descends into playground politics and reveals some uncomfortable truths. In this cinematic and evocative production Stopgap Dance Company creates a compact world of riddles that question our notions about unity and co-existence.

Scene three of Artificial Things is one of six works of compulsory study for GCSE Dance. If you are researching this work for GCSE Dance, we recommend you to click through all the links on this webpage to watch various videos, read interviews and download background packs. 

  • To purchase the GCSE Guide, please click here

  • To organise a workshop for GCSE students or CPDs for teachers (online or in person), please contact us

  • Click here to look back on an Instagram Q&A we did in summer 2020, or download the answers in PDF here

Artificial Things was reimagined into an award-winning short film in collaboration with the film director Sophie Fiennes. Click here to find out more.

Press reviews

Thought-provoking, intelligent, imaginative, powerful ★★★★★ TV Bomb

Bold and disarming ★★★★ Exeunt Magazine

Exhilarating, emotional and provoking ★★★★ Edinburgh Guide

Bold and honest ★★★★ Broadway Baby

Inventive and visually stunning londondance.com

Further reading

  • To read Lucy's interview with The Exeunt Magazine click here

  • To watch a video feature on Article 19 click here

  • To watch behind the scenes videos click here

  • To download the Artificial Things Background Pack click here

Production Credits

Artistic direction & choreography: Lucy Bennett

Guest choreographer for scene one: Yoshifumi Inao (former Artistic Director of Batsheva Dance Company)

Danced and devised by: Amy Butler, Laura Jones, Chris Pavia, Dave Toole and David Willdridge

Composers: movement one – Christopher Benstead, movement two – Jim Pinchen, movement three – Andy Higgs

Theatre and costume design: Anna Jones from Curious Space