Company Dance

Company was a weekly movement session for over 50’s with a focus on creating performance and having this focus gives a real sense of purpose to the group. Digital dance shorts were produced during every session and shared as an ongoing performance that grew over time as well as live performances every few months.

Company was for anyone—people who had never been to a dance class before, people who danced when they were younger and wanted to start again, and also ex-professionals. There were the obvious physical benefits to dancing, but there was also the social interaction that came with dancing. The name Company was also a definite nod towards the social aspect of dance; meeting and moving in a space with other people was so important, as it impacted very positively on the feelings of isolation that some older people felt, especially in the past.

“Company did not have a style or dance technique as such but rather worked with the people in the room and their physicality, creating a style of its own. We were used to seeing young athletic performers at the peak of their capability—fantastic, of course—but that should not be it. Dance should be performed by everyone at every age and with all physical abilities. The qualities would be different, but the difference was magical; it was a joy,” said Matt Butt, lead choreographer for the project.

Company also challenged the perceptions of what people could achieve later in life, both for the performers themselves and for the audience, their families, and friends.