VERVE ALUMNA CAST IN A NEW WORK BY SHECHTER II

Photo Credit: Elly Welford

Holly Brennan, an accomplished alumna of NSCD’s postgraduate VERVE programme, is set to perform at Riley Theatre on Saturday 9th November with the Shechter II company in their work From England with Love.

Holly graduated from London Contemporary Dance School with a first-class BA (Honours) degree in 2021 and further honed her craft when she joined VERVE at NSCD as a company dancer.
VERVE, known for its cutting-edge performances and intensive artistic development, allowed Holly to push the boundaries of her technique and express her creativity in an inclusive, collaborative environment. As part of the programme, she performed a triple bill of works by Akram Khan, Sita Ostheimer and Alessandra Seutin and gained a Master’s degree.
Upon graduating from VERVE, Holly moved to Germany to take a full-time role as a company dancer at MiR Dance Company as their first-ever British artist.
Holly is now delighted to have joined Hofesh Shechter Company’s junior company, Shechter II, which is committed to nurturing young artists and helping to shape the future of contemporary dance.

Over 1,200 dancers from 34 countries auditioned for Shechter II. With only eight dancers worldwide selected to join the prestigious company, we are beyond proud that one is Holly Brennan, representing the very best of the next generation of contemporary dance artists.

Matteo Marfoglia, VERVE Creative Director and Curriculum Lead comments: “We’re excited to welcome Holly back to Riley Theatre and watch her perform. Her journey is an inspiring reminder of the transformative power of dance education and the incredible opportunities that can arise from programmes like VERVE. We can’t wait to see her perform this work.”

The multi-layered complexity of England takes centre stage in this compelling new work for Shechter II which comes to the Riley Theatre on tomorrow evening as part of an international tour.

From England with Love is an ode to this intricate and beautiful country. Through Shechter’s choreography, the dancers evoke the paradox at the heart of this open, generous and soul-searching place, conflicted by its dark history and powerful attachment to old traditions. They draw us into their search for identity and self-knowledge as they grapple with this complex system of values.

Performed to a rich score that combines the breath-taking sounds of English composers, presented in a clash with raging rock alongside echoes of choir and electronics in an avant-garde cacophony. Playful and poignant, full of pride and paradox, From England with Love plays like a ‘Dear John' letter… a farewell note to old England and a peek into the heart and soul of this beautiful, yet complicated place.