When Sadler's Wells, the UK's leading dance venue, approached Theatre-Rites, a London theater company that creates work young people, to commission a dance piece, artistic director, Sue Buckmaster, was thrilled... and challenged.
"This was the first dance piece I'd be creating for kids and I didn't want to risk it being inaccessible. It had to be fun," she said. "The first thing I did was look at comparative pieces and meet interested choreographers. I was surprised to discover how little dance was being produced for children in the UK," recalled Ms. Buckmaster.
"It didn't matter if the choreographer had experience creating work for children, but only that he or she has a certain playfulness," Ms. Buckmaster said. She soon found a partner in
Arthur Pita, whose choreographic experience spans the globe and includes operas, musicals, outdoor dance events and burlesque, work that is in some cases very adult. "Arthur was a perfect choice. He has a thorough understanding of the dancer's body and works well with both dancers and non-dancers. He knows how to entertain."
The fruit of the collaboration between Theatre-Rites and
Arthur Pita is Mischief, which premiered at
Sadler's Wells in 2009 and will make its U.S. debut at The New Victory Theater from March 18 through March 27. In Mischief, a single visual concept - a Line - is manifested by colorful and "frisky foam noodles that march, mock and mingle to eclectic live music in a kaleidoscopic cosmos where discovery and fun reign."
Mischief marks the first commission for family audiences by
Sadler's Wells.
Mischief is created by director Sue Buckmaster, choreographer
Arthur Pita and visual artist Sophia Clist. The live, on-stage music is composed by
Charlie Winston. Lighting is by Guy Hoare and costume supervision is by
Alice Wilson. The performers of Mischief include Claire Cunningham, Rachel Donovan,
Gavin Eden, Valentina Golfieri,
Phil King,
Mohsen Nouri, Alexander Varona and
Frank Wilson.
Ticket Information
Theater-goers who buy tickets for three or more New Vic shows qualify for free Membership benefits, including a 35-percent savings.
Tickets for Mischief cost $25, $18 and $9 for Members and $38, $28 and $14 for Non-members.
On sale now:
ONLINE at NewVictory.org
BY PHONE at 646-223-3010; Monday-Friday 12 noon-8 pm; Saturday 10 am-8 pm; Sunday 10 am-5 pm
IN PERSON at The New Victory Theater Box Office; Box office hours: Sunday & Monday 11 am-5 pm; Tuesday-Saturday 11 am -7 pm
Performance Schedule
Fri March 18 5 pm
Sat March 19 12, 5 pm
Sun March 20 12 pm/Signed, 5 pm
Sat March 26 12, 5 pm/Talk-back
Sun March 27 12, 5 pm
Photo credit: Patrick Baldwin
