Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company

Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company
Name	Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company
Founded	1989
Founder	Shobana Jeyasingh
Genre	Contemporary dance
Headquarters	London
Notable works	Romeo and Juliet, Perfyume, Echo

Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company is a London-based contemporary dance company founded by choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh. The company has maintained an international profile through festivals, theatres and institutions including the Royal Opera House, Sadler's Wells Theatre, Southbank Centre, Barbican Centre and touring to venues such as Lincoln Center, The Joyce Theater, Tate Modern and Sydney Opera House. It has engaged in cross-disciplinary projects with organisations like BBC, Channel 4, Arts Council England, British Council and cultural institutions including Serpentine Galleries, Victoria and Albert Museum and National Theatre.

History

The company was established in 1989 by Shobana Jeyasingh after early training connected with institutions such as Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Ballet Rambert and influences from artists who worked at Riverside Studios, The Place, Covent Garden and Greenwich Dance. Early performances appeared at festivals including Edinburgh Festival Fringe, London Festival and touring circuits supported by Arts Council England and Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Through the 1990s and 2000s the company developed projects supported by funders like National Lottery, British Council and collaborations with venues including Queen Elizabeth Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Tobacco Dock and Royal Opera House Linbury Studio. International engagements expanded to partnerships with festivals such as Avignon Festival, Venice Biennale, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and touring to companies like Komische Oper Berlin, Staatstheater Hannover and institutions such as Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and Centre Pompidou.

Artistic Style and Influences

The company's choreography synthesises classical Indian forms with contemporary practices, drawing on influences from artists and institutions like Pina Bausch, Merce Cunningham, Martha Graham, Akram Khan, Rukmini Devi Arundale and choreographers associated with Bharatanatyam and Kathak. Musical collaborators and composers such as Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Nitin Sawhney, Michael Nyman, Clare Loveday and ensembles like London Sinfonietta and BBC Symphony Orchestra have shaped the score choices. Visual and design influences include work with designers associated with Julian Opie, Anish Kapoor, Zandra Rhodes and institutions like Royal Academy of Arts, Institute of Contemporary Arts and Whitechapel Gallery. Technology partnerships with organisations such as Royal College of Art, Goldsmiths, University of London and companies in the Creative Industries sector have informed multimedia and digital experiments.

Major Works and Productions

Notable productions include reinterpretations and original works performed at venues such as Sadler's Wells Theatre and festivals like Edinburgh International Festival. Signature pieces include "Romeo and Juliet", which engaged dramaturgs and designers linked to National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company and conductors associated with English National Opera; "Perfyume", which intersected with composers and perfumers connected to Royal College of Art and fragrance houses; and "Echo", which toured to Lincoln Center and collaborated with companies associated with Tate Modern and Hayward Gallery. Works have been created for cultural events such as London 2012 Olympics cultural programmes, collaborations with broadcasters like BBC Two and site-specific pieces for venues like Victoria and Albert Museum and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Collaborations and Commissions

The company has received commissions from leading organisations including Sadler's Wells Theatre, Royal Opera House, Southbank Centre, BBC Proms and international presenters such as Sydney Festival, Montreal Grand Prix (Festival International de Jazz de Montréal), Avignon Festival and Festival d'Automne à Paris. Collaborators span choreographers and artists like Akram Khan Company, Russell Maliphant, DV8 Physical Theatre, Rooster, composers and musicians such as Nitin Sawhney, Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Mark-Anthony Turnage, visual artists including Anish Kapoor and filmmakers linked to Channel 4 and BBC Arts productions. The company has also been commissioned by educational institutions such as Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Royal Academy of Music and cultural funders like Arts Council England and British Council.

Touring, Residencies, and Outreach

Touring history includes seasons at Sadler's Wells Theatre, international tours to Lincoln Center, The Joyce Theater, Sydney Opera House, Komische Oper Berlin and appearances at festivals such as Edinburgh International Festival, Avignon Festival and Venice Biennale. Residencies and studio collaborations have occurred at institutions including Royal Opera House, Southbank Centre, National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai, Battersea Arts Centre, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and research labs at Goldsmiths, University of London and Royal College of Art. Outreach activity has involved partnerships with community organisations and arts education programmes tied to Arts Council England, Creative Scotland, Big Lottery Fund, British Council and local authorities like Greater London Authority to deliver workshops, training and youth engagement.

Awards and Recognition

The company and its founder have received honours and awards from bodies such as Olivia Award, Critics' Circle National Dance Awards, Dance UK recognition, and fellowships from institutions like Arts Council England, British Council and Royal Society of Arts. International recognition includes invitations to major festivals such as Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Venice Biennale and prizes awarded at events linked to Edinburgh Festival and national arts prizes administered by organisations like National Lottery fund panels and cultural ministries.

Company Structure and Key Personnel

Led by founder and artistic director Shobana Jeyasingh, the company governance includes a board of trustees often connected to institutions such as Arts Council England, Royal Opera House and British Council. Key personnel have included rehearsal directors, resident choreographers and répétiteurs trained at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance and guest artists from companies like Akram Khan Company, Russell Maliphant Company, DV8 Physical Theatre and Siobhan Davies Dance. Production teams collaborate with designers, composers and technologists from Royal College of Art, Goldsmiths, University of London, Royal Academy of Arts and broadcasters such as BBC and Channel 4.

Category:Contemporary dance companies