Building Dance in Hamilton

Artword is presenting Once I Lived in the Box by Learie Mc Nicolls February 3 – 5. I know Learie’s work, and I know the dancers (Angela Del Franco, Tanis Macarthur and Sharon Harvey). I know Judith Sandiford very well, who is directing and designing the lighting that throws those beautiful shadows you see in the photo. This will be a very fine piece of dance drama.

There is hardly any contemporary dance in Hamilton yet. Will people come? There is a fundamental principle in entertainment: people go to what they know.

When Learie came from Toronto to Hamilton, he asked “where is the dance?” I told him it was up to us to build it. Learie did two theatre/ spoken word pieces that incorporated dance: Resurrection at The Pearl Company and Transformation at Artword in the Fringe.

Now this is the big step. This is a full-length dance piece, choreographed by Learie with three highly skilled professional dancers, and of course Learie himself. It has a powerful theme, delivered through intense physical movement.

There are years (decades!) of training, and months of rehearsal behind what you see on the stage. Learie Mc Nicolls has an international reputation. This is a stunning show. Come and see it!