Candoco Dance Company Create New Dance Film 'Unspoken Spoken' Directed And Choreographed By Fin Walker

Candoco Dance Company will for the first time bring their work to a digital audience through Unspoken Spoken, a new dance film created by the esteemed choreographer Fin Walker. Fin Walker's previous work includes the Olivier award-winning After the Dance with Benedict Cumberbatch, and Equus with Daniel Radcliffe, which was met with critical acclaim on West End and Broadway. Created and filmed with support from digital commissioning body The Space, Arts Council England and the BBC, the film seeks to raise awareness of Candoco's work amongst a digital audience for the first time.

The 17-minute piece, performed by a cast of disabled and non-disabled dancers, presents five characters each with his or her own rules to question, submit to or override. The film features 14-year-old Jess Dowdeswell, who has been dancing without her wheelchair and exploring ways to use her body as a means of expression through hip hop and contemporary dance for the past three years. As well as dancing, Jess is a keen sports player and trains with the GB Junior (U25) Women's Wheelchair Basketball Squad, who are looking to retain their title as World and European Champions in 2019.

Jemima Hoadley narrates the story through an inventive and moving combination of British Sign Language, voice and movement. Unspoken Spoken exposes the potential that exists when we dare to challenge the rules and pushes us to confront the things holding us back.

Three versions of the film - one full length or two shorter segments - will be shared exclusively with online audiences via Facebook, YouTube and the Candoco Dance Company website (details below).

Speaking about Unspoken Spoken, Fin Walker said "The path we tread is full of information. Information that can lead us, teach us and open our eyes. The path myself and Candoco journeyed on in the making of Unspoken Spoken was rich and poignant. This small ensemble of performers were a complete and utter joy to be with and create with. Their openness, commitment, and belief unwavering. Thank you to them, my brilliant team of collaborators and to Candoco for making this film possible with support, of course, from The Space, without whom there wouldn't be a film!"

Candoco, the leading company of disabled and non-disabled dance artists, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2016. Founded in 1991 by Celeste Dandeker and Adam Benjamin, Candoco quickly grew into the first professional dance company of disabled and non-disabled artists in the UK.

The company's Artistic Co-Directors, Ben Wright and Charlotte Darbyshire, joined the company earlier this year, taking over from Stine Nilsen and Pedro Machado who stepped down after a decade. Charlotte Darbyshire was herself a founder member of Candoco and, together, the new artistic co-directors remain curious about what dance can be and how Candoco can change and reimagine perceptions of ability. They aim to continue to commission and produce work by world-class choreographers, with learning at the heart of the company.

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