SIZE OF COMPANY
2–6 on the road

SCALE OF VENUE
Small- to middle-scale

PERMANENT STAFF
Artistic Directors
Tom Roden
Pete Shenton

Production Manager
Andy Finn

Manager
Gwen Van Spijk

Associate Project Co ordinators
Claire Morton
Joe Bates

ARTISTIC POLICY
New Art Club creates original works of dance-based art that are intelligent, beautiful, funny and engaging, and that have a positive and memorable affect upon audiences. The company questions preconceptions of dance performance and presentation, and its use of movement, text, comedy, costume and props has evolved into a unique theatre style that is as immediate and direct in its appeal, as it is fascinating. A mixture of comedy, live art and dance – serious and silly in equal measure.

REVIEW EXTRACTS
‘Unique... a double act who marry stand-up comedy with choreographic minimalism and a touch of philosophy.’ The Times

‘Back-achingly, stomach-creasingly funny and brilliantly constructed comedy.’ Ellie Carr, The Sunday Herald

‘Roden and Shenton caper gleefully along the dividing line between lunacy and genius.’ Mary Brennan, The Glasgow Herald

CURRENT PRODUCTIONS
The Visible Men Creates a world where the familiar laws of physics are unreliable, things and people appear, disappear and re-appear somewhere else. With some dancing and some talking, gags and surprises, The Visible Men is a development of 2004's The Short Still Show, a finalist in the prestigious Place Prize. (65 mins, 3–4 on the road.)

This is Modern Some improbable truths, curious connections and whopping lies are utilised in a journey through 100 years of dance history. A funny but informative exposé on contemporary dance. (65 mins, 3–4 on the road.)

The Electric Tales A performance about electricity and the search for meaning, finding dark comedy in a light switch, and light comedy in a dark world. Suitable for a variety of flexible studio and theatre spaces. (75 mins, 3–4 on the road.)

Dances, Jokes and Dance Jokes A minimalist and mesmerising dance comedy for two bodies and two voices, interrupted by a stand-up comedy duo and a dance company, overlaid with stories and jokes about the fictionalised domestic lives of the performers. (60 mins, 3-4 on the road)

The Notcracker – not just another Christmas show An unashamedly silly deconstruction of previous Christmas stories and a serious reconstruction of a new one. (70 mins, 4–5 on the road, suitable for ages 10+.)

Slide Show An adaptation of Dances, Jokes and Dance Jokes, Slide Show’s structure and material can be re-worked for different occasions. It was adapted for Dance Umbrella 2005, offering an overview of the festival through the company’s. Short works can be represented individually or together to form a full-length programme. (20–60 mins, 3–4 on the road.)

Another One Deconstructs what dance is made of. Repeating, combining and recombining four words and a series of gestures, it is a simple idea which unfolds complex meanings. Short works can be booked individually or together to form a full-length programme. (20mins, 2–3 on the road, or full length 3–4 on the road.)

WRAP-AROUND
New Art Club believes that everyone that wants to can dance, choreograph and enjoy and benefit from dance as an art form. With this in mind, as part of its touring, a range of education and community activities are available for booking. With an inclusive and demystifying approach to skills-based sessions, New Art Club’s work aims to have a memorable and important effect on the creative and physical development of people as artists. Practical workshops featuring a mix of dance technique and company repertoire are usually two to three hours in length (maximum group size 30) and are tailored to suit all ages from 8–16+ years, as well as dance professionals. Post-show discussions with the artists are also available. A separate information sheet on education work is available from the company.

RECENT INTERNATIONAL WORK
2007, Germany (This is Modern/Dance, Jokes and Dance Jokes/The Visible Men), Greece (This is Modern)
2006. China (This is Modern), Poland (Dances, Jokes and Dance Jokes)
2005 Ireland, Lithuania (The Electric Tales)

TOURING AVAILABILITY
All shows available from January 2008 onwards
The Notcracker available for bookings in December and January only