SIZE OF COMPANY
2–22 on the road

SCALE OF VENUE
Small-, middle- and large-scale

PERMANENT STAFF
Artistic Directors
Ajay Chhabra
Simmy Gupta

General Manager
Karen Poley

Projects Producer
Bill Gee

Project Producer (Bollywood Steps)
Julian Rudd

ARTISTIC POLICY
Nutkhut’s work draws on dance, film and outdoor performance with a delight in popular culture. The company creates beautiful, often funny and entertaining projects of wide appeal, which can involve local communities in creating and performing in projects in their host city and location. Nutkhut’s work ranges from large-scale outdoor performance, interactive indoor and outdoor installations through to stilt-walking and small-scale theatre and dance.

REVIEW EXTRACTS
‘Simmy Gupta with her cool, stylish interpretations of film song.’ The Guardian

‘A sumptuous piece of dance theatre that both pays homage and spoofs the Bollywood film. Even the steps of the Great Hall turned pink with pleasure and everyone was smiling.’ The Guardian

‘A Bollywood dance show, with fireworks, a flower-strewn wedding scene, and fountains ensuring the essential wet-sari effect much used in films. Deplorably kitsch, of course, but enormous fun.’ The Daily Telegraph

CURRENT PRODUCTIONS
Bollywood Steps A unique British Bollywood outdoor dance spectacle created and directed by Simmy Gupta. Bringing together stunning choreography, specialists in pyrotechnics, water effects and lighting, Bollywood Steps is a visual feast. The piece was originally co-commissioned by Greenwich and Docklands International Festival and the Mayor of London to mark the opening of the new Trafalgar Square steps. (35 mins, 11 performers, up to 2 shows per day.)

Maharajahs Giant, Interactive Outdoor Characters Meet the larger than life man of mystery, the Maharajah himself and a glamorous Princess dripping in jewels and silk. With true Punjabi panache they claim to be visiting royalty and add a touch of glamour. Also available with Dhol drumming courtiers. Maharajahs is the UK's first Asian stilt-walking walkabout act, initially supported by The Circus Space and showcased at Streets of Brighton. (45 mins, 2–4 performers, up to 3 shows per day.)

DJ’s Giant, Interactive Outdoor Characters. The DJs are pure urban hipsters, where hip-hop meets bhangra. The DJs come with their own portable sound system. (45 mins, 2–4 performers, up to 3 shows per day.)

FUTURE PRODUCTION
Movieplex A film, performance and instillation of the very special fictional world of a generations-old filmmaking dynasty. Dating back to the Lumière Brothers, Movieplex takes their latest cinema on the road. Commissioned for the Liverpool European City of Culture 2008.

WRAP-AROUND
Opportunities for local dancers to be involved in Bollywood Steps. Workshops related to company’s work, including dance training, introduction to stilt walking, and discussions for audiences. Specialist lectures/keynote speeches on creating and collaborating with international partners in making new work and developing diaspora festivals.

RECENT INTERNATIONAL WORK
2006 Sweden (keynote speaker at British Council event)
2005 Norway (The Seven Statues of City Hall)
2004 Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands (Diesel – The Olyndian Games), Norway (Maharajahs)

TOURING AVAILABILITY
All year round