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.
[Image description: Chris, a white male dancer with Downs Syndrome, points accusatorily at himself in a circular mirror held up by another dancer who uses it to cover their face. Chris wears a hat and a white shirt with shoulder epaulettes, the shirt is stained with muted blue, red and yellow inks that run and bleed from the collar. The figure holding the mirror is white and wears a pink toned knitted vest.]
Trailer
Reviews
Your Reactions
Elegant, engaging and superbly entertaining, a truly beautiful performance of #Artificialthings by @Stopgapdance at @Sadlers_Wells
— Ells (@ellsbellss) May 13, 2014
Great show last night @LilianBaylis by @Stopgapdance Strong cast, beautiful dancing, fab music and hugely entertaining. Go see it tonight.
— Jemima Hoadley (@JemimaHoadley) May 14, 2014
Brilliant show tonight by Stopgap! #ArtificialThings — feeling refreshed at Saddlers Wells Theatre http://t.co/ONIqFsaOcX
— Ingrid molinos (@ingridmolidance) May 13, 2014
@Stopgapdance Still have memories of beautiful, eloquent and fantastic show last night! Hope you carry on the fabulous work!!! @dtoole764
— Katie Fraser (@ablegirl) May 14, 2014
Production Images
ID: Dave leans in to Amy, as if whispering in to her large brown cartoon mouse ears.
ID: All five dancers in a line, seated on stools or wheelchairs, Chris sits centrally and stares down the camera.
ID: Chris stands in a glass box, looking stern wearing a brown cap and shoudler epaulettes.
ID: Dave and Laura lay together tenderly on the floor.
ID: Dave perches atop Laura's back as she presses herself up from the floor, her collapsed wheelchair behind them.
ID: Amy falls and arches backwards, supported by David's hand at her neck.
Award-winning Dance Film
Artificial Things was reimagined into a dance film in collaboration with Sophie Fiennes as the director. The film won the prestigious dancescreen 2019 award for best Choreography
GCSE Dance
Artificial Things is part of the GCSE Dance Anthology. Below are some useful resources for teachers and students
[Image Description: Amy, Laura and David caught mid-movement. In front - Amy and David in identical leaps with heads turned to the side, extending one leg down and the other bent up. Behind - Laura balances in a wheelie in her wheelchair. Each wears similar costumes with blue and green inky stains, Amy is in a short dress, Laura has a vest and trousers, and David a button-up shirt and suit trousers.
Further Reading for Students
Related stories
Credits
Lucy Bennett
Artistic Direction & Choreography
Yoshifumi Inao
Guest Choreographer for Section One
Amy Butler, Laura Jones, Chris Pavia, David Toole, David Willdridge
Performers & Devisers
Anna Jones (Curious Space)
Theatre Design
Chahine Yavrovan
Lighting Design
Chris Benstead
Composer for Section One
Jim Pinchen
Composer for Section Two
Andy Higgs
Composer for Section Three
Sho Shibata
Executive Producer
Callum Graham
Producer
Richard Walker
Production and Stage Manager
Francois Langton
Technical Manager
Rosey Morling
Costume Supervisor
Joy Ralph
Access Worker
Musical scores
Old Songs New Songs by John Whitney & Roger Chapman, used by kind permission of Carlin Music Corp
You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To by Cole Porter, used by kind permission of Warner/Chappell Music
Supported by
Arts Council England, Farnham Maltings, Pavilion Dance South West, Zinc Arts, PASS Circus Channel (Interreg), The Point – Eastleigh and University of Surrey
Additional thanks
Company Chameleon, Charlie Morrissey, Thomas Noone, Joop Oonk, Rootless Root and C’ie XY