Moving Together – Justice in Motion with Dr Bronwyn Tarr at IF Oxford Science and Ideas Festival, October 2020

Moving Together​ is a brand-new creative project by Oxford based physical theatre company Justice in Motion​, that explores loneliness and belonging. The company is working in partnership with anthropology researcher Dr Bronwyn Tarr, from the University of Oxford, posing the question ‘​Can we ease feelings of loneliness using movement and music​?’

Moving Together​ shows how shared experiences are important for personal and community health. This issue has become more relevant recently, as so many of us feel a sense of isolation.

Working with members of the public who are affected by loneliness, participants were asked to share their thoughts and ideas about their experiences. These conversations were recorded and set to original music composed by Quentin Lachapelle. Choreographer Gemma Peramiquel and dancers have taken these recordings and developed short dance pieces inspired by the voices and music. Filmmaker Michael Lynch has then created short films of the sequences that have been released online.

TAKE PART​ – Moving Together​ is part of the IF Oxford Science and Ideas Festival in October 2020. A selection of works are being taught in a series of online workshops to be performed in an online ‘flashmob’ experience, bringing people together in synchronised movement. This free event is taking place on 24th October at 4pm.

The project culminates with a Short Film being screened on 29th October at 6:30pm, followed by a live Discussion panel with the creative team.

To take part and join in, details for the workshops, Flashmob and Short Film for Moving Together @IF Oxford can be found here: https://if-oxford.com/events/?_search=moving%20together

The collection of video gifts can be seen here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX1u8UK3cC5KvkPNOPwH1qA/featured

To find out more about Justice in Motion and catch up on Workshop tutorials visit the website: ​https://www.justiceinmotion.co.uk

 

BOUND – Justice in Motion Premiere Live Screening with Q&A, Anti-Slavery Day 18th October 2020

How far would you go for a better life?

Justice in Motion is an Oxford based Physical Theatre company aimed at raising awareness about social injustices. To highlight Anti-Slavery Day, they will be premiering a screening of their moving and captivating piece, BOUND. This will be followed by a Live Q&A discussion panel including Dame Sara Thornton (UK Anti Slavery Commissioner), Sian Lea (Shiva Foundation), Eddie Tuttle (Chartered Institute of Builders) and Anja Meinhardt (Artistic Director, JiM)

BOUND​ is a compelling, thought-provoking story of dreams and broken promises. Three desperate people take on the biggest gamble of their lives in the hope of a better future. They find themselves bound by a dark, sad reality. The three characters define, shape and rebel against their isolation and exploitation. It is their hope, optimism and resilience that is at the core of this powerful piece.

In a dynamic fusion of dance, circus, music, poetry, parkour and film Justice in Motion brings you a story of strength in adversity.

“despair and compassion with moving brilliance.” Oxford Times ★★★★
“unveils stories of hope and desolation in an imaginative and articulated way.” Theatre Bubble ★★★

Date: Sunday 18th October from 6.00pm

To watch this Premiere event visit:

http://bit.ly/BOUND-VIDEO

To find out more about Justice in Motion and the project visit:

Bound

The performance and Q&A will be available to view for one week.

Read Eleanor Jones’ review of Bound here:

https://oxforddancewriters.wordpress.com/2013/10/09/justice-in-motion-in-bound-at-the-pegasus/

 

Oxford Dance Forum Evolution Celebration, Old Fire Station, 13th October 2019

In an exciting day at the Old Fire Station sharing the recent work of Oxford dance makers, Oxford Dance Forum (ODF) celebrates its Evolution Programme, acknowledging the end of this productive three year Arts Council England/Oxford City Council funded initiative, and marking the beginning of a new entirely independent phase for Oxford Dance Forum.

In December 2019 Claire Thompson, who has overseen ODF since 2006 as part of her role as Dance Officer for Oxford City Council, will be taking a step back to enable the Forum to become fully artist-led. Claire has been pivotal in fundraising for initiatives that support local dance artists as well as building partnerships both within Oxfordshire and other regions, and ODF members are extremely grateful for her work over the past 13 years, as well as for the contributions of many local dance artists who since 2006 have voluntarily given their time as members of the ODF Steering Group.

ODF’s aim is to support Oxfordshire dance artists in their ongoing research and development as makers, teachers, and performers, so please encourage those you know to come along to this event to celebrate its work to date, or consider donating to the ODF collective to help it to continue supporting Oxford’s vibrant and dynamic dance community.

Screenings of dance films, documentaries and performances will run through the afternoon in the dance studio and foyer alongside performances and sharings of Oxford dance artists’ work, see full programme below.

Date:  Sunday 13th October 1.30-9.00pm

Venue:  The Old Fire Station, 40 George Street, Oxford OX1 2AQ

Tickets:  All tickets are free, but booking is essential.  You can book online for individual events here, or call the Box Office on 01865 263990

as follows:

Mae
1.30pm & 4pm (15 mins) Dance Studio
An informal and intimate opportunity to listen to a specially created podcast by Mae based upon her explorations into creating sound, particularly the use of contact mics, as part of her Evolution funding. Mae will be present to share her feelings on dance experimentation whilst also showing film clips and objects used within the research.

Jenny Parrott, Joëlle Pappas and Christopher Redgate, and Naomi Morris
1.50pm & 4.20pm (1 hour approx) Cafe and Loft
An intriguing and entertaining promenade event of dance, live music, projections, and dialogue that takes place in the Cafe and Loft. Ages 18+ (contains nudity).

Miranda Laurence
3.05pm (45 minutes) Dance Studio
Join Miranda Laurence for a discussion exploring how to watch dance and get more out of it. This talk is open to all – dance makers, regular dance watchers, and those who may have little or no experience of watching dance.

Body Politic, Justice in Motion, Segolene Tarte, Sole Rebel Tap, and Unlock the Chains Collective & Kuumba Nia Arts
6pm (1.5 hours approx) Theatre
A rare opportunity to experience an eclectic mix of works created by 5 Oxford based dance artists and companies, presenting short excerpts in styles ranging from hip hop to butoh, tap to physical theatre, and ballet to performance poetry.

 

On Edge Parkour Theatre, Oxford Castle 17th-18th August 2019

Justice in Motion and the Inspire Parkour community have brought together exciting choreography, theatre and athletics in an exciting show to be performed in Oxford Castle courtyard. On Edge fuses beauty and humour, telling a stimulating, moving tale addressing the issue of modern-day slavery that asks – what does it really mean to be free? Atop towering scaffolding, a group of men ricochet around a building site. Their routine may give a sense of purpose and security yet behind the perimeter fencing, all is not as it first appears…

On Edge involves international collaborators, parkour athletes and performers.   Between shows, you can explore the sensational freedom of moving around the parkour construction site with their free interactive workshops.

No booking is necessary to attend performances or workshops, just come along to the castle courtyard.

Performances:  Saturday 17th August 5.00pm, Sunday 18th August 12.00pm, 4.00pm

Venue:  Oxford Castle and Prison Courtyard, Oxford OX1 1AY

Parkour park open for you to have a go:  Saturday @ 2pm – 4pm and Sunday @ 10:30am – 11:30am, 1pm – 3pm.

Price:  Free

Suitable for all ages

 

Justice in Motion performs Bound at Old Fire Station 2nd-3rd June 2017

Oxford based company Justice in Motion is making waves with work which is a compelling and passionate mixture of dynamic physical theatre, dance, music, spoken word and film, creating entertaining and thought provoking experiences dealing with topical issues for today’s challenging audiences.  The company returns to the Old Fire Station for three performances at the beginning of June.  Inspired by true accounts of human trafficking, of dreams, broken promises, resilience and above all hope, BOUND tells of three people’s journeys into the unknown.

The show, suitable for 14 years and over, is followed by a post show discussion with the performers and human trafficking experts.

How far would you go for a better life?

★★★★ ‘Despair and compassion with moving brilliance’   Oxford Times

‘It was fantastic seeing and hearing how visibly moved the large audiences of visitors were by your performances’ Ashmolean Museum LiveFriday Curator

Performances:  Friday 2nd June 7.30pm, Saturday 3rd June 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Venue:  Arts at The Old Fire Station, 40 George Street, Oxford OX1 2AQ

Tickets:  Full price £12, concessions £10

Book online here or call the Box Office on 01865 263990

Bound trailer – Justice in Motion from Justice In Motion on Vimeo.

 We offer a free companion ticket to disabled patrons. Please book via phone (01865 263990) or e-mail (tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk) to claim this.
Are you a member of Crisis Skylight Oxford? We share the building with Crisis and offer 4 free tickets per show to homeless clients. Sign up in advance at Reception.

 

Dancin’ Oxford 2017, Oxford venues 3rd-12th March 2017

Dancin’ Oxford’s annual Spring Festival offers something for everyone. From international choreographers, to free outdoor experiences, a Dance-A-Thon, professional and amateur companies, plus shows for children and workshops, Dancin’ Oxford 2017 has programmed a festival of treats.

Now in its 11th year and funded by Oxford City Council and Arts Council England, Dancin’ Oxford goes from strength to strength. Claire Thompson, Oxford City Council Dance Officer said “We find that each new festival is rewarding in so many ways. Oxford’s vibrant dance scene love it as do many people who have never experienced dance before. The free dance event in the city brings a variety of dance styles to the shoppers some of whom have been known to join in.’

Dancin’ Spaces (4 March), in and around the City Centre, is a variety of programmed dance performances and promenade pieces. Shoppers might find they are chosen to be ‘protected and defended’ by dancing Bodyguards, discover a dance about football fusing hip hop with contemporary dance, watch a performance for children in the Museum of History of Science or a duet in the Weston Library foyer. All this runs alongside a plethora of local dance companies which will entertain and delight shoppers.

 

Moving With the Times, Pegasus Theatre 27th-28th February 2015 – Ana Barbour reviews

I arrived late to find myself in the middle of Selfies x4 by Marina Collard Company. On stage were 4 young female dancers Lorea Burge, Alice Labant, Mathilde Lepage Bagatta and Carolina Ravaioli – dressed in jeans and a pairing of blues and reddish tops. Sometimes they stood and gazed vacantly, other times they preened, sat, walked, jumped or danced; some lovely consecutive moves, responses, stopping and starting between the pairs. Behind them, ‘selfie shots’ – pictures of faces – built up in a mosaic of squares over the back screen and disappeared again to reappear in another configuration. The soundtrack a hubbub of background noise: talking, sometimes in English, sometimes in a foreign language, a lot of giggling and awkward noises, the clattering, clanking sounds of a canteen. The whole aptly expressing the isolating (alienating?) contentment and self absorption of selfie culture.  At the end we were treated to the two pairs becoming a four and posing for each other and us; a connection warmly appreciated by the audience. This work was a collaboration between Marina, Paul Whitty (sound/music) and Vicki Rucinska ( film/projection).

 

Moving with the Times, Pegasus Theatre, 27th & 28th February 2015

The Annual Festival platform of dance specially commissioned by Pegasus and Dancin’ Oxford.  Now in its fifth year, Moving with the Times showcases brand new dance work by some of Oxfordshire’s most exciting performers and choreographers. Artists and companies have spent several months working at Pegasus and elsewhere preparing and perfecting their work for one of Dancin’ Oxford’s key festival events.  This year’s artists include Justice in Motion; Cecilia Macfarlane, Melissa Holding, Hilary Kneale; Unlock The Chains Collective; and Marina Collard.

 

Dance Scratch, Pegasus Theatre Friday 23rd January 2015

This Dance Scratch provides a chance to catch the artists chosen to present work as part of Moving With The Times, the annual Dancin’ Oxford platform for local professional choreographers, giving the first airing of their new choreography in a work-in-progress showcase at the Pegasus Theatre.  Get a sneak peek and contribute your feedback before the final production during the festival in February.

Artists and companies showing work include Justice in Motion, Marina Collard, Unlock The Chains Collective, Cecilia Macfarlane with Melissa Holden and Hilary Kneale.

Date:  Friday 23rd January 2015, 7.30pm

Venue: Pegasus Theatre, Magdalen Road, Oxford OX4 1RE

This is a free event but booking is essential.

 

Justice in Motion in ‘Bound’ at the Pegasus – Eleanor Jones reviews

The inaugural performance at the Pegasus of Anja Meinhardt’s physical theatre company, Justice in Motion, in collaboration with Oxfordshire Community Against Trafficking (OXCAT) takes a bold first step with Bound. With the intention of “building a bridge between social justice campaigns and the arts” Justice in Motion present a powerful and intimate piece blending elements of dance, dramatic performance, video and sound.

Three characters inhabit the stage, and the attention of the audience is first focussed on each in detail, but as the action progresses and the stories blend, the characters’ movements begin to shadow each other through their shared experiences.