New Dance has revolutionized British dance – its choreography, its techniques, its institutions, its audiences. Out of Line looks at the history, characteristics and practitioners of this important movement, and is thus the first book to cover all these aspects of New Dance.
The history of New Dance is traced from its beginnings in the 1960s through to the present day, looking at the individuals, companies and organizations which helped to shape the movement. The range of concerns that have characterized New Dance is then examined – concerns that go beyond choreography and performance to include issues such as institutional organization, criticism, funding, feminism and politics.
This is followed by a survey of some of the choreographers and companies associated with or influenced by New Dance, including Michael Clark, DVS Physical Theatre, The Cholmondeleys, Rosemary Butcher, Laurie Booth and Second Stride. A selection of their important work is also described.
Out of Line is an accessible introduction to the New Dance phenomenon, and shows how it has profoundly affected not only the current British dance scene, but also the way we view, practice and think about dance. It is essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand contemporary British dance