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Between our Spring dates, we have toured separately with Gravity & Levity and Wired Aerial Theatre. Summer has brought us back together under blue skies (and occaisonal grey clouds) as we have been creating an outdoor site specific show - Forbidden, A tale of Love and War. Directed by Helen Parlor, the project is commissioned by DanceFest in conjunction with English Heritage. We have had the good fortune of rehearsing in the grounds of Goodrich Castle. One section we enjoy performing together is an aerial duet in which we depict drowning and loss. Fortunately the english weather has mostly been kind, drowning us in rain only twice during the month. We are even a little sunkissed! We will perform as part of a 150 strong cast on 10th-12th July. www.dancefest.co.uk

More things in the pipeline....

There's more exciting news for All Play who are going International! We have been booked to perform in Milan. So November will see us jet-setting off, to not only Milan but to The Pyramid Arts Centre, Warrington. We are very much looking forward to both of these Autumn dates.

Prior to that however, we will be making a film in collaboration with TheLab which will be an exciting addition to our repertoire and a great opportunity to explore a new realm, thus furthering our development and adding a new dimension to our work as All Play. Look out for a bite size taster on theis very site, very soon!

This week All Play have the opportunity to work with young women in HMP Foston Hall, Derbyshire. Invited by Charnwood Arts (a Leicestershire based company), we will use our piece 'It's Rude to Point' as a starting point to develop work with the participants. Our time with them will contribute towards their pursuit of an Arts Award.

In March, All Play, a photographer and a music composer worked in collaboration with Creative Partnerships in Lindsworth School (where pupils are statemented with emotional and behavioural problems). The project 'Impossible Moments' allowed the participants to choreograph airborne sequences which were captured on camera accompanied by a soundtrack they composed for themselves. They later taught the skills they'd learned to pupils from Allen Croft Primary School (where we did a residency at the end of 2007). The project was a real success and put the girls at Lindsworth in the right direction to achieve their Arts Awards.

It is always a pleasure to facilitate and then stand back and watch the levels of creative ability shown by participants who may have failed in social or working contexts. We hope to enjoy such moments in Foston Hall.

Yes, thats right folks, All Play are officially back on the road, this time to Nottingham. Watch out Robin Hood, All Play are on their way.

Under the umbrella (and knowing how reliable the weather is, it might be) of Stamping Ground aka Dance4, we will be appearing firstly at the International Children's Festival, (Lakeside Arts Centre) on June 8th, followed by Arnold Carnival on June 14th, also in Nottingham.

Keep your eyes on our homepage for further details...

FACT: Its National Walk to School week so come on folks get those walking boots on!
For more info see http://www.walktoschool.org.uk/

Last Sunday saw the 'changing of the clocks', signifying the start of British Summer Time. And the sun certainly did shine for All Play that day. We performed at The MAC to two large and varied crowds, who were in the majority not expecting the burst of energy and entertainment, let alone the sunshine, from All Play.

The concept of BST was first proposed by William Willett in order to 'max-out' useful daylight hours, and after initial refusal by Britain to accept the system, the 'changing of the clocks' was implemented in May 1916. This acceptance provided a system that saved essential fuel and money during the war years, and infact 'double BST' was adopted during WWII. After a century of Daylight Saving Time however, the debate continues as to whether it is a good thing or not.

The idea of 'maxing-out' time, and daylight hours is certainly an appealing one to us, and something that All Play implements in what becomes 'the ordinary(?) life of a dancer'. Rushing here and there, performing, teaching and choreographing, fitting in ridiculous travel logistics to do so, having the bank call you up to see if your card has been frauded because you have been in that many places within 24 hours, making those essential calls whilst travelling, ticking tasks off lists to only add more, whilst accepting more work!Phew! But we love it, right?? To do all this in as much 'light' as possible though is definately a preference, so All Play say thanks William, nice one. Bring on BST and the (fingers crossed) sunshine.

For now, until Summer (June to be precise) when the next stretch of our tour begins, All Play try to take a small breath, whilst getting busy with some individual projects and self development work.

In the meantime, don't forget to check out our latest images through our video/media page into the world of Flickr.

As Spring begins to emerge, All Play also have a spring in their step. As January drew to a close, seeing the completion of more successful tour dates and our drumsticks receiving more than a little attention at BDE, we observe not only the evenings getting lighter but plans emerging and coming into bloom.

Alongside the slightly early arrival of Spring, All Play as a fresh young dance theatre company, find ourselves on the seasonal map of recognition with not only great feedback from previous shows but further bookings too. We are currently pruning ourselves for upcoming UK and international tour dates of 'Its Rude to Point', a new residency project in Birmingham and sowing seeds to extend our repertoire, which although still germinating, are more than contributing to the spring in our step!

We also note it is a Leap year, and appropriately on the same theme, our next appearance will be at the LEAP Festival in Liverpool. We perform on March 9th at BBC Radio Merseyside. You can find more details on our homepage, including how to book a place at the FREE workshop we will be giving!

In the meantime, remember...

"Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush". ~Doug Larson

At the end of 2007, All Play had a short break whilst Ness was dancing in Israel and Nik was dancing and teaching all around London. Being in different worlds offered reflection time. Before we dived into 2008 All Play met in a small bar in London to review our beginnings. We found ourselves compiling funny moments to remember...

Audience members telling us they enjoyed the ending of our show at The Patrick Centre, (Birmingham). We were amazed that a large number of the audience hadn't clocked that bones had been broken.

In our performance at The Mill, (Banbury) we had stripped down our technical requirements to 2 music cues as we had had no time to technically rehearse the show. Yet, they were completely missed. We resorted to the explicit cueing system of pointing to the lighting box and shouting 'We're ready for the music now'. Sophistication.

When we performed at Allen Croft Primary School (Birmingham), we both had our legs propped up the wall for a good stretch when the music was started. We froze for a moment and then bombed it into the hall to perform 'It's Rude to Point' for the school assembly. The fastest beginning we've ever had.

At the same school, in one section of the piece, we'd repeated the word 'sorry' until the end of the section when there is no movement or sound, just an awkward silence between us. One of the little girls from the reception class piped up and earnestly instructed us to, "Say sorry". Favourite moment.

But the finest moment was before our performance in Resolution. We found a studio in which to spend time jamming through contact improvisation. When it was time to return to our dressing room, we got to the studio door only to find it wouldn't open. It could only be opened from the other side. Running out of time we had to scurry all the way around the lower level, up through the box office and bar and through the auditorium (which was filling up with audience members). Close shave. The unseen moments that keep you humble eh.

In 2008, we have shows booked for festivals in Milton Keynes, Liverpool and Birmingham. And we look forward to the birth of a completely new performance project. Details to follow.

We would like to invite you to join us for a performance of 'Its Rude to Point' on January 10th 2008, at The Robin Howard Dance Theatre, The Place, London.

The show starts at 8pm and is billed against two other companies as part of Resolution!2008. The earlier you book your ticket the cheaper it will be, ranging from £5 - £12, and if you need further incentive, party bags are involved! Ah yes, its all fun with All Play! We can't vouch for the other companies but be sure that All Play will provide high quality dance theatre action.

To buy your ticket please call The Place box office on 0207 121 1100 or visit www.theplace.org.uk

Look forward to seeing you there!

All Play spent an energetic four days working with Year 4 pupils from Allens Croft Primary School, working towards a performance by Year 4 to the rest of the school. This followed a performance of 'Its Rude to Point', as part of the residency, which was recieved with much delight!

The energy and enthusiasm throughout the project was outstanding, and as acknowledged by the teachers, and pupils alike, all those involved gained a lot by taking part, and really pulled together as a team to deliver a great performance. Congratulations to all you budding performers at Allens Croft!

All Play would also like to thank Creative Partnerships and Fierce! for their support in this residency.

Halloween is a time for making mischief.....and All Play would like to wish you a spooky night ahead full of mischief, tricks and game play!!

Our next appearance will be as part of the Fierce!Festival at Allens Croft Primary School delivering a new short residency project in November. Alongside performing 'Its Rude to Point' to the school, we will be working with eager Year 4 participants to create some new work which will address current communication and friendship situations with specific focus on bullying. We look forward to capturing the latest in young Birmingham talent!

Halloween Fact of the Day: A pumpkin is really a squash and comes from the same family as the cucumber!

The New Year will bring a performance of 'Its Rude to Point' at The Robin Howard Dance Theatre.

Yes, All Play will be appearing at The Place on 10th January 2008 as part of Resolution! 2008.
This is an exciting opportunity for us, and we are very much looking forward to strutting our stuff in London once again, following our performance at The International Workshop Festival.

We would love you to join us so watch this space for ticket details, discounts and of course drumstick lollies!!