As Discover Dance partners step closer to the opening nights of their Christmas productions, we’re shining a spotlight on dance and movement and some often-unnoticed roles in theatre productions as well as how it can be part of a parade!
The scope of a movement director’s responsibilities is broad and varies according to the specific requirements of each production. At its core, the role involves overseeing the pace and flow of scenes and ensuring cohesion throughout the performance. Although often unaware of it an audiences’ understanding of a play is influenced as much by the actors’ movements as by dialogue and staging.
Movement Director, Jon Beney shares why physical storytelling is at the heart of Hull Truck Theatre’s Oliver Twist.
“As a movement director I think movement is vital to any show, but especially at Christmas. Movement can capture in an instant something that words often cannot — fear, sadness, joy, and happiness. As babies, movement happens before speech, so it’s really our first form of communication.”
Movement Directors are essential to creating the physical environment inhabited by the characters, drawing upon input from the actors, costume choices and historical context, helping actors trust their bodies and physically express their characters.
Some movement directors specialise in fight scenes, or some blur the boundaries with other roles such as that of a choreographer creating dances or movement sections for ensembles. Some enjoy the flexibility of working with all the different movement aspects in a show.
Hull New Theatre’s pantomime “Beauty and the Beast” has dance at the heart of the performance. The big joyful dance numbers, always part of a pantomime, means that the Hull New Theatre performance require a dedicated Choreographer. During the run they are responsible for rehearsing the dancers ensuring the technique remains sharp and that the original choreography does not change too much over time! They will also need to re-space dance numbers if people are ill, or suffer an injury, and teach the choreography to replacement dancers.
Dance in Company’s Gen Z Dance Crew also returns to this year’s Back to Ours Christmas Card Parade! Originally chosen by their resident Hub Member Steering Group as their 2023 artist commission, Back to Ours continues to support the project into 2026 by providing a welcoming space for these young performers to share their wonderful street dances. Led by Dance in Company’s Holly Gibbs, Gen Z Dance Crew consists of young people ages 10 -17 from MaxLife Youth Project and St Michael’s Youth Project developing their dance skills and building confidence as artists.
This year the groups are bringing Grinchmas to the parade, look out for street dance, lots of energy and trending Tik Tok Xmas songs.
Show information:
Hull Truck Theatre – Oliver Twist
You’re invited to join young Oliver Twist on the adventure of a lifetime in Hull Truck Theatre’s festive adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel. The perfect alternative to pantomime over the holidays, magically captivating audiences of all ages.
From bustling London streets to moments of tenderness and tension, dance helps bring Dickens’ world to life.
Expect a production filled with energy, emotion, and movement that speaks straight to the heart.
Oliver Twist opens on Friday 28 November at Hull Truck Theatre.
For full schedule and availability visit hulltruck.co.uk
Back to Ours Christmas Card Parade
You can see Gen Z Dance Crew perform at the following locations between Monday 1 – Thursday 4 December:
Monday 1 December – Green across from 30-51 Bilsdale Grove, Southcoates from 6:15pm – 7:30pm
Tuesday 2 December – Elmbridge Parade Shops, Greatfield from 7pm – 8:15pm
Wednesday 3 December – Outside the Orchard Centre, Orchard Park Rd, from 6pm – 7:15pm
Thursday 4 December – Cafe-Two-O-One & Wold Road Shops from 6:45pm – 8pm
Hull New Theatre – Beauty and the Beast
Wednesday 10 December – Wednesday 31 December
One of the most romantic pantos of all time, Beauty and the Beast, is a spectacular and enchanting production for all the family.
Dreaming of a happier life, Belle finds herself transported to a cursed castle and held captive by a terrifying beast. To her surprise, the castle is full of magical characters placed under a spell by an evil enchantress.
Can Belle see beyond the monster and fall in love with her captor before the last petal falls from the enchanted rose?
Or will the Beast’s selfishness cost him the world he once knew and the hand of the girl who has melted his heart?
For full schedule and availability visit hulltheatres.co.uk