BBC Arts has announced programming for Culture in Quarantine, a virtual festival of the arts rooted in the experience of national lockdown, with more to be announced over the coming weeks.
Beginning this month, Culture in Quarantine will happen across television, radio and online, providing extraordinary access to shuttered exhibitions, performances and museums, a virtual book festival and much more besides.
Dance programming includes the BalletBoyz 20th anniversary UK Spring Tour programme, Deluxe, the final performances of which had to be cancelled following Government advice on to protect the safety of audiences, artists and workforce. But it will now be shared with audiences watching from home.
Deluxe features two new works choreographed by an all-female team: Ripple, the UK debut of renowned shanghai-based choreographer Xie Xin with music by electronic composer Jiang Shaofeng; and Bradley 4:18 by Punchdrunk choreographer Maxine Doyle in a collaboration with Mercury Prize-nominated jazz musician Cassie Kinoshi and inspired by the Kate Tempest track Pictures On A Screen.
Also to be shown is David Nixon’s production of Dracula for Northern Ballet, which brings one of literature’s most sinister creatures to the stage. Based on the Bram Stoker novel that has seduced countless generations, this adaptation is a gothic ballet with dramatic bite. Starring Javier Torres in the title role, the adaptation sees the famous vampire travel to England after becoming transfixed on a vision of the innocent Mina. Unable to curb his dangerous desires, Dracula terrorises the town as his tortuous yearning for the young woman grows. But, as Mina realises she is powerless to resist Dracula’s lure, the pair succumb to their mysterious lust, before the hunter becomes the hunted. Dracula is performed to a score compiled of music by Alfred Schnittke, Sergei Rachmaninov, Arvo Pärt and Michael Daugherty, orchestrated by John Longstaff. The gothic set is designed by Ali Allen, with costumes designed by David Nixon OBE and lighting by Tim Mitchell.
Further dance programmes will also be available as part of a previously announced BBC Dance Season feature works by Crystal Pite and Jonathan Young, Sadler’s Wells Danceworks films with Sharon Eyal, Maria Pages, Ballet Black and Firedance, and a documentary inside the Royal Ballet with their all-star line-up of male dancers. More details here.
For more on Culture in Quarantine visit www.bbc.co.uk/arts.