SIZE OF COMPANY
4–9 on the road

SCALE OF VENUE
Small to medium

PERMANENT STAFF
Artistic Director
Mark Bruce
Company Manager
Elizabeth Mischler

ARTISTIC POLICY
The Mark Bruce Company was formed in 1991 as a vehicle for the inimitable and occasionally controversial dance theatre of Mark Bruce. Its work pushes the boundaries of style and expectations – combining musical, theatrical, and artistic directness. The company creates work for traditional and unconventional venues and explores innovative, venue-specific, and unexpected presentational formats.

REVIEW EXTRACTS
Bruce's choreography has never looked more inventive, with classically based moves twisted into ferocious gestures of destruction or strung out into decadent ennui.
The Guardian (Sea of Bones)
British contemporary dance needs to move forward, and the efforts of choreographers like Bruce are to be cheered.
The Observer (Bad History)
Bruce’s rural retreat has obviously done him good. Sea of Bones is the most passionate, grown-up choreography he has yet produced.
The Times (Sea of Bones)

CURRENT PRODUCTIONS
Green Apples A duet performed in the round to music by The White Stripes – a visceral and immediate performance experience, with the audience separated from the performers only by a rope.
10 mins, 2 on stage, 4 on the road
Sea of Bones A dive into the collective unconscious – a dark journey into the Otherworld of dreams, heightened reality and ancient and modern mythology. Music includes Nick Cave, Tom Waits and Domenico Scarlatti.
70 minutes plus 20 minute interval, 7 on stage, 9 on the road
Star  The newest in a series of commanding duets performed in the round – with music from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Grinderman.
20 mins, 2 on stage, 4 on the road
Bad History A duet set to music by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and The Doors – an almost Faustian tale, with hints of voodoo and the evolution of the blues.
15 mins, 2 on stage, 4 on the road, includes strong language

FUTURE PRODUCTIONS
Arena (2010) A full-evening work presented in the round, with the audience surrounding the action of the performers – exploring the meeting and relationships between individuals in varying circumstances. Arena will consist of several shorter works in the first half followed by Love and War in the second half.
Appropriate for non-traditional venues; performance space will be built and created. 8 on stage, 10 on the road
Love and War (2010) Following themes from The Odyssey, The Iliad, and other mythological tales, Love and War will draw parallels between the archetypal and modern age, exploring how love and war interconnect, fuel and govern our behaviour.
8 on stage, 10 on the road

WRAP-AROUND
Residencies, post-performance discussions, masterclasses, teaching of repertoire and workshops available for all productions. Age 14+ with dance experience required.

TOURING AVAILABILITY
Available from January 2009.