The Award-Winning LOST DOG Performs BEN DUKE's One-Man Show: PARADISE LOST (LIES UNOPENED BESIDE ME)

LOST DOG, the highly entertaining dance/theatre company is fronted by its Artistic DirectorBen Duke whose one-man show, 'PARADISE LOST (LIES UNOPENED BESIDE ME)' has been performing to critical acclaim and capacity audiences for over a year.

A one-man staging of Milton's epic Paradise Lost, combining theatre, comedy and movement this is a journey through the story of the creation of everything condensed into 80 minutes, beginning with Lucifer's rebellion and ending with Adam and Eve's expulsion from The Garden of Eden. Ben Duke plays all the characters, creates all the scenes and, despite his best efforts, falls a little short of perfection. "It's a show for anyone who has created anything (child, garden, paper aeroplane) and then watched it spiral out of control," he says.
(Photo left and below of Ben Duke by Danilo Moroni)

This autumn Ben is partnering with the Rural Touring Dance Initiative - to take 'Paradise Lost' to community spaces and rural hubs around the UK. The NRTF is a member led organisation that works closely with arts companies to deliver high quality art experiences to rural areas of the UK.

'Paradise Lost (Lies Unopened Beside Me); was co-commissioned by The Place and Battersea Arts Centre and Bath ICIA University.
Developed with support from The Point, Eastleigh and South East Dance.
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

"Duke's writing is finely pitched, as are his musical choices (from Handel to Janis Joplin); however, it's his dance training that shines through in big set pieces...the battle between God and the rebel angels in which he seems to swell to heroic proportions, riding an imaginary chariot, hurling boulders and spears." (Guardian)

"Duke veers wildly from the original poem in a retelling alive with amusing detail, casting God as Lucifer's needy boyfriend and having battling angels squeezing through the galley kitchen in the Almighty's designer flat. Deftly scripted, Duke threads scenes from his own life through the narrative...using a mixture of text, movement and slightly bewildered charm that makes him very good company." (Evening Standard)

Ben Duke - Artistic Director & Performer
After graduated from Newcastle University with a First in English Literature, Ben Duke trained at the Guildford School of Acting and London Contemporary Dance School. His work explores the overlap and transition between dance and theatre. As well as his work for Lost Dog, Ben has directed and choreographed works for other companies. He most recently worked with Barely Methodical Troupe on Kin and has created work for Scottish Dance Theatre (The Life and Times of Girl A), Dance Umbrella (The Difference Engine), Phoenix Dance Theatre (Pave up Paradise)and numerous post-graduate performing companies including Verve and Intoto. He has choreographed for projects by The National Theatre of Scotland (Dolls), the Gate Theatre, London (Sexual Neuroses of our Parents) and Handspring UK (CROW). He has performed with Probe, Hofesh Shechter Company, The Gate Theatre, The National Theatre of Scotland, Glyndebourne Opera and Punchdrunk. Ben is a Work Place artist, was Associate Artist at South East Dance 2012-14 and recipient of the Bonnie Bird New Choreography Award 2011.

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