Sadler’s Wells has commissioned its first dance show aimed at younger audiences. Children’s theatre company Theatre-Rites, choreographer Arthur Pita and composer Charlie Winston have teamed up to create Mischief, to be shown at the Peacock on 6-7 October as part of a UK tour.
Designed for children aged seven and over and their families, Mischief is a mixture of dance, visual art, clowning, puppetry, music and song. Eight contemporary dancers create a colourful world containing a forest of foam, giant stickmen and madcap characters. They are accompanied by composer Winston, who plays live.
Directed by Sue Buckmaster, Theatre-Rites is a London-based children’s theatre company which attempts to push the boundaries of theatre and feed the imagination of young people. The company produces site-specific shows and works with artists in all art forms. Previous work includes The Thought That Counts and Hospital Works. Mischief is the company’s first major collaboration with a choreographer.
Pita is a former dancer with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures. He now has his own company, Arthur Pita Open Heart, is Associate Artist at The Place and has choreographed for Phoenix Dance Theatre and CandoCo Dance Company.
Composer and singer Winston has written for theatre, dance and film, and has recently released his debut album, Make Way. He is currently supporting Peter Gabriel on his European tour.
CB