Play Ball is a triple bill of short Bharatanatyam dance pieces by a male-dominated cast, inspired by British Lads’ Culture. This work with live music shows off ‘what the lads do’ when at work, when at play and when in love…and boy do our lads love to show off!
Bend it… is on football. Let’s play ball! The use of complex footwork that Bharatanatyam and football share makes a testosterone charged peacock-like display of skill. The dancers and musicians become players… they tackle, they shoot, they fake injury like all the greats and a goal is scored. The crowd erupts and the celebration dance ensues. Never has Bharatanatyam been so competitive!
Chemistry is the lovers’ reunion after a tiff. “Will she play ball?” he thinks as he tries to woo her back. This male-female duet, induced with passion and laced with vigorous but playful rhythmic passages creates a romantic and fiery dance that celebrates love and happiness and the softer side to men.
QUICK! is the winning piece of the Place Prize 2006, Europe’s largest choreographic competition sponsored by Bloomberg. In QUICK!, an energised display of 8 London businessmen unravels. Are the business associates going to play ball and close the deal? QUICK! is a piece reflecting today’s cut-throat business world.
Play Ball continues the unparalleled collaboration between choreographer Nina Rajarani and composer Y Yadavan.
Collaborators
Artistic Direction and Choreography: Nina Rajarani
Music Direction and Composition: Y Yadavan
Film: Satu Tuomisto
Lighting Design: Ben Pacey
Technical Management: Stuart Walton
Gallery
Audience Feedback
An extremely inspirational show, very accessible, amazing choreography, wonderful music, brilliant ideas. simply breathtaking.
Valentina Grechhi, April 2008
My husband and I felt exhausted just watching this performance. It was brilliant, exciting and had a very clever use of multi-media
Anonymous, March 08
Press Feedback
“The highlight of Chemistry was the deeply moving vocal accompaniment, composed and sung faultlessly by Y Yadavan…Quick!, a riot of perfect synchronisation”
The Independent, April 2008
“A truly thrilling and emotional edge.”
The Stage, February 2008)
Previous Tour Dates
- 26 January — The Traverse, Edinburgh
- 30 January — The Clocktower, Croydon
- 1 February — The Maltings Arts Theatre, St Albans
- 8 February — The Corn Exchange, Dorchester
- 13 February — Middlesbrough Theatre, Middlesbrough
- 15 February — Harrow Arts Centre, Middlesex
- 22 February — Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy
- 29 February — The Gate, Goole
- 7 March — Chipping Norton Theatre, Chipping Norton
- 11 March — The New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth
- 14 March — Swindon Dance, Swindon
- 15 March — Duckie, Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London
- 27 March — The Drum, Birmingham
- 3 & 4 April — Theatre Royal, Bath
- 5 April The Flavel, Dartmouth
- 11 & 12 April — The Place, London
- Contact Theatre, Manchester
- Arts Depot, London
- Gulbenkian Theatre (part of the Canterbury Festival)
- Greenford Assembly Hall, London
- The Riverside Theatre, Hull ( part of Hull Dance 08)
Funders
