Candoco artist’ talk

What does it really mean to challenge the perceptions of what dance can be, and of its performers?

Since 1991, the Candoco Dance Company (UK) have produced performances with both disabled and non-disabled professional dancers, and acted as a trailblazer for discussions and experiences that pose the questions: Who is represented on stage and whose bodies are on display? Is the idea of the stereotypical virtuosic dancer’s body outdated?

Artistic Director Charlotte Darbyshire and dancer Joel Brown engage Stine Nilsen, Artistic Director of CODA, in a conversation about strategies for expanding dance as an art form, and of experiences related to this.

Presentation – the artists

Charlotte Darbyshire – Artistic Director of Candoco Dance Company. Charlotte was a founding member of the company (1992-1999) and helped establish the foundations on which Candoco stands today. She has over 25 years of experience of working in contemporary dance, specifically in somatic and inclusive practices – as a performer, creator, teacher, facilitator, movement therapist, and director of two award winning films.

Joel Brown is an American paraplegic dancer and musician, based in London. He has toured internationally with AXIS Dance Company and Candoco since 2012. As an independent artist, he has created the critically acclaimed duet, “111”, with Eve Mutso.