Memorandum submitted by Ludus Dance
The following is a submission of evidence and
opinion by Ludus Dance. Extracts have been taken from a number
of articles and publications which may help inform the debate
as to the specific value of dance as a participatory art form
in the UK today.
ISSUE-BASED
DANCE WORK
Ludus is based in Lancaster, UK and was founded
in 1975 by a group of young teachers and artists, all of whom
recognised the importance of making and taking dance to young
people in school. The work aspired to "make sense" for
young people both intellectually and emotionally within a social
and political context. The Ludus trademark is contemporary dance
with a strong narrative and a clear sense of purpose.
Ludus has identified dual aims; to use dance
as a means of affecting a change in the way young people viewed
"art" and in the way that they learned about life. The
work explores socio-political themes in relation to the individual.
Past shows have looked at racism, bullying, the environment, nuclear
power, gender, imprisonment, communication, media, culture, conflict
and conflict resolution and teenage pregnancy. Our next show will
explore our attitudes to "difference" via a study on
eugenics. This show has been supported by the Wellcome Trust and
is supported by Dr Tom Shakespeare.
Ludus continues to believe that the arts have
the power to communicate, to alter views, to question, to challenge,
to raise awareness and to emotionally engage. The potential for
individuals to grow and develop aesthetically, socially and intellectually
within a creative, physical learning process is incalculable.
All our performances are supported by a series
of practical workshops that explore themes from the show through
movement, but also through discussion, co-operation, collaboration
and debate, all of which are essential elements in a creative
and educational dance workshop. The residencies are backed up
by written support material, music tapes and videos.
SOLD—explored issues surrounding
child labour. Via the Internet, we formed partnerships with Anti-Slavery
International, World Education Development Centres, UNICEF, Free
the Children, Christian Aid, filmmakers (Magnus Bergmar), human
rights activists etc. The work received an award of recognition
from the organisation "Free the Children" in Canada.
CLASH—looked at conflict and conflict
resolution. The show toured extensively throughout Malaysia, China,
Hong Kong, Singapore & Kosovo.
ZYGOTE—was commissioned by Leicester
Health Authority (teenage health sub-group) and explored issues
to do with teenage pregnancy. We were commissioned to "engage
young men" in particular.
ZYGOTE takes the format of a futuristic game
show where one of the contestants will become pregnant (an unplanned
pregnancy). The contestants undertake a series of quests; Sex
Pressure, Sex Talk, Sex Knowledge and Sex? The live testing scene
serves the twist—it is the male game show host who tests
as pregnant. From this point he is taken through pregnancy to
giant babies to rebellious teenage kids. Most boys report back
as being more interested in the show because it is the man who
gets pregnant.
We have worked with many teenage pregnancy co-ordinators
throughout the UK all who have expressed appreciation as to the
integrity of the work.
"ZYGOTE . . . The latest performance from
Ludus Dance is about teenage pregnancy. Yes I know what you are
thinking . . . `here's another bunch of adults warning us about
the dangers of unprotected sex' well, you'd be right in thinking
that, but what Zygote does isn't dull or boring. Ludus aren't
here to pound the facts into your brain with a sledgehammer—they're
here to tell us through fast paced dance, cool visuals and a funky
soundtrack just what it feels like to be a parent. Go and see
Zygote, you might learn a thing or two—I know I did. I am
more confident about talking about sex and contraception and I
think everyone should be. But be warned, if giant babies are a
nightmare to you—stay away!"
A school magazine review from a young participant.
A SNAP SHOT
OF LUDUS
DANCE
1. Ludus has a turn over of half a million
pounds—60% of which is generated income (not grants). We
work with up to 50,000 people a year—mainly young people.
We employ a team of 17 and provide work for over 50 people per
annum on freelance contracts. Over 200 people visit the centre
each week to attend dance classes.
2. We produce three-year business plans
and four-year budget extrapolations. We undertake customer reviews
and operate extensive evaluation procedures. And, most importantly,
we attempt to meet the needs of the communities in which we work.
We believe we are part of the local economy.
3. The touring company makes issue based
dance performances for young people which run alongside educational
workshop programmes.
4. The community dance team (five artists)
work locally and within the county of Lancashire delivering a
range of arts social inclusion programmes. We receive more requests
for the work than we can deliver.
5. The majority of the sectors we work with
tend to be under resourced and we work hard to keep our charges
as accessible as possible. In effect, grant aid to Ludus enables
a diverse range of community groups and community participants
to experience dance in a way in which they have chosen and value.
Ludus provides a social, political and educational function.
6. Over recent years we have extended our
services to include short courses and training programmes for
artists and teachers, consultancies within the sector and the
company offers a comprehensive student placement and work experience
programme for trainee dancers and school attendees.
7. A Ludus dancer is an educator, performer,
creator, writer, researcher, teacher, activist and facilitator
with an interest in human rights, politics, learning and understanding.
To date, Ludus has most probably given almost half a million young
people their first experience of contemporary dance and generated
a great deal of debate along the way!
EXAMPLES OF
COMMUNITY DANCE
PROJECTS
Egypt and Cairo
In February 2003, Ludus Dance Director Deborah
Barnard was invited out to Cairo to work with a group of young
women on a performance project exploring human rights. The project,
set up with Artistic Director Nora Amin (Cairo) and the British
Council, specifically wanted to explore what it was like for a
young woman growing up in Cairo today and how that compared with
the experiences of young people from the UK.
Many of the young women in the group explored
prevailing attitudes in Egypt and their sense of oppression. The
group from Egypt travelled to the UK to work with members of the
Lancashire Youth Dance Company on a joint performance which was
then presented in Cairo in December. Cath Sims (Head of Dance
Development) was the key artistic collaborator assisted by Deborah
Barnard.
Ludus Youth Dance & Youth Dance Artists from
Bulgaria
Ludus headed up an exchange programme with 21
young people from Bulgaria who came to Lancaster to spend a week
with young people from the Lancashire Youth Dance Company. The
programme formed an important part of our cultural exchange programme.
Three Year Social Inclusion project for young
people
The above project was funded by the Esme Fairbairn
Foundation and enabled the company to employ three full-time community
dance artists. The artists targeted at risk groups throughout
the county of Lancashire. Over 15,000 young people have accessed
dance through the programme to date. This project has enabled
the team to develop 16 youth dance companies across Lancashire,
create opportunities for young people to work with professional
companies and to create and perform their own work.
April 2004
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