In February, we shared this story regarding several of our third-year undergraduate students currently engaged in industry placements. We’re excited to provide ongoing updates on their individual experiences in the coming weeks.
We start with Jemima Colin who recently joined Rendez-Vous Dance Company for their 2024 tour of The Monocle – a work which sees six performers bring the spirit of 1930’s Paris to life, with a mix of virtuosic dance and live music.
Jemima joined the company in January and was rehearsing in Newcastle ahead of the national tour which began mid-February and runs until the end of June.
In the company alongside Jemima are two dancers who previously attended NSCD. Zara Phillips completed her undergraduate studies in 2022 and showcased her talent with VERVE in 2023. Natassa Argyropoulou graduated in 2022 and performed in a run of The Monocle during her third year of the undergraduate programme.
Jemima is performing in every show on the tour and comments:
“Working as an apprentice dancer for Rendez-Vous Dance Company continues to be an enriching opportunity for both personal growth and experiential learning.
Performing and getting to connect with the other artists onstage is where I find the most joy. The excitement of possibility in choices the show provides as a performer and the challenging physicality of the work is what has been the most motivating.”
Jemima continues:
“Working as part of a professional company during a re-staging and rehearsal process has offered a huge opportunity to grow and develop my own creative and performance practice. Conversations with Andrew Gardiner and Mathieu Geffré in apprentice mentor meetings, rehearsals and during the tour itself, have provided me with the safety and tools I need to take forward.
Mathieu's nuanced choreographic approach and collaborative creativity in working with artists has been a profoundly inspiring and enriching experience to be involved in and learn from.”
As part of The Monocle’s eleven date national tour, Jemima, Zara and Natassa will perform at the Riley Theatre on 27 April. Jemima is very excited to be back in Leeds for this. She says:
“In the supportive atmosphere cultivated by an exceptional cast of artists and individuals I deeply admire, I am looking forward to performing at The Riley Theatre as part of the tour. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity provided by NSCD and Rendez-Vous Dance Company and excited for the continuation of discovery as I complete the tour.”
You can buy tickets for this show here
More about The Monocle – coming to the Riley Theatre on 27 April…
Inspired by 'Le Monocle', a notorious lesbian nightclub in 1930s Paris, this work featuring jazz chanteuse Imogen Banks sees six performers bring the spirit of 1930’s Paris to life with a mix of virtuosic dance and live music. The Monocle invites audiences to experience the joy of a truly safe space, where women laugh loudly, and abandon themselves into smooth and passionate dances long into the night.
Led by award-winning choreographer Mathieu Geffré, Rendez-Vous Dance engages with LGBTQIA+ people, themes, and voices across its work, advocating for values of inclusivity, diversity and representation. As a contemporary dance company, its work has great physicality, intricacy and virtuosity.
Choreographed by Geffré, The Monocle has been conceived in collaboration with safe space expert Hedley Sugar Wells, LGBTQIA+ historian Florence Tamagne, production manager Rachel Shipp, and dramaturg Andrew Gardiner.
Artistic Director and Choreographer Mathieu Geffré said:
"I am excited to present The Monocle on tour next year. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, advocating for equal rights, authentic representation, and the importance of safe spaces is vital to me, especially at this time of vulnerability in society and increased concern for our safety. Having the opportunity to share this wonderful story with audiences across the UK is a humbling privilege and I hope you enjoy spending the evening at our Parisian nightclub.”
For more about the 2024 tour of The Monocle, see here.
The Monocle is A Made In The North East commission, supported by Dance City, Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Curious Arts, and Arts Council England.
