On Sat 22 Apr, students from the Norfolk Institute of Performing Arts (NIPA) will perform the curtain raiser at the final performance of 5 Soldiers at Norwich Theatre Playhouse.
Seven talented young dancers from NIPA will present an original piece of work created by them with choreographer, Ben Nash. Acting as a prequel to the show, the work is created in response to K2CO’s 5 Soldiers and explores the story of young people committing to armed service. It uses strong physical shapes, lifts and dramatic interactions.
K2CO have linked with the Norfolk college with the help of Norwich Theatre. 5 Soldiers – The Body is The Frontline, is an award-winning dance production which uses dance to explore the stories of a group of combatants who become fractured by war. It is a thrilling and humane portrait of army life telling the stories of three men and two women serving off and on the front line.
The group of students includes Elizabeth Daw, Evie Corby, Daisy Frammingham, Harvey Green, Keiran Blundell, Maisie Moody and Jodie Stimpson. They are aged 17 to 23 years old, and a mix of first year students and those graduating in July. The students come from across Norfolk, including Taverham, Norwich, Kings Lynn, Longham and Swaffham with some having military connections.
Speaking about the curtain raiser Nichola West Co-Director of the Norfolk Institute of Performing Arts: “I feel so proud of our students and thrilled that Rosie Kay and Ben Nash have collaborated to create a unique piece of contemporary work with our performing arts students. It is a privilege and a great opportunity for the students to work with these International artists and gain professional insight into the creative industry.
“Norwich Theatre and the Norfolk Institute of Performing Arts have established a warm working relationship as we all endeavour to support the growth of performing arts in the county.
“I will be in the audience watching our students and the K2CO dance company perform at the Playhouse on the 22 Apr, and I know this will be an emotional evening reflecting the intensity of the choreography and my joy at watching the NIPA students fulfilling their dreams.”
Daisy Frammingham said: “I love contemporary dance, and as a college, we studied 5 Soldiers, so to be actually meeting Rosie Kay, seeing the show live, and on top that having three weeks of lessons with Ben accumulating in a live performance is amazing.”
Maisie Moody said: ”I am so excited and grateful for this experience. I feel changed as a performer as I now understand how to connect my thoughts and emotions through my body.”
Jodie Stimpson said: “Wow, I am loving this experience, and it has developed my understanding of evolving, devising and collaborating choreography. Ben is amazing.”
Keiran Blundell said: “It has been an inspirational journey. Learning new lifts and physically working with Ben all day has made me want to be a performer even more. The group feels like family, and I am so proud of what we have all achieved.”
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