Choreographers' Platform

Following a nationwide search, new work by seven hugely talented choreographers will be performed for the first time at this unique showcase. This year features an unprecedented line-up of talent with Henri Oguike, Tim Casson, Dane Hurst, Eleanor Perry, Holly Noble, Maria Yacoob and Urja Desai Thakore all creating short dance pieces for Ignition - west London's only dance festival. This is a rare opportunity to glimpse a rich and diverse programme of dance from some of the UK's best and most visionary choreographers. Supported by Arts Council England and RBK. Produced by Dance West.

Maria Yacoob (solo): a choreographer based at London’s Pineapple Studios. She loves creating emotive, passionate dance with a strong narrative drive. She works across opera, musical theatre, contemporary dance, cabaret and film/television.

Eleanor Perry & Daniel Hay Gordon (Duet): Thick & Tight are a British based dance theatre duo who create avant-garde cabaret style shows using contemporary dance, literature, a diverse range of music, lip syncing and drama to present characters who collide on the dance floor.

Dane Hurst (Trio): Dane has travelled internationally performing with Rambert, Phoenix Dance Theatre and Company Wayne McGregor. In 2013 he was nominated for Outstanding Modern Performance and in 2014 received the Best Male Dancer of the Year award by the Critic's Circle National Dance Awards, U.K. Dane has received commissions from The Place Prize, Stuttgart International Solo Dance Theatre Competition, Barbican, RichMix, Wilton's Music Hall, Dulwich Picture Gallery.

Tim Casson (Trio): Casson & Friends make accessible interactive dance work that engages audiences in innovative, joyful, and meaningful ways. They bring together diverse collaborators including composers, computer programmers, and often the public. Our work strives to be accessible to everyone, celebrating the creativity within us all, and helping people to feel part of something bigger.

Holly Noble (Trio): Holly works as an independent choreographer undertaking commissioned work and projectswith people such as English National Ballet, Glastonbury Festival, The V&A, Sadler’s Wells, Northern Contemporary Dance School and Company Wayne McGregor.

Urja Desai Thakore (Quartet): Urja is the UK’s leading Kathak dancer and choreographer. Her energetic choreographic style is highly regarded by both traditionalists and contemporary audience.

Henri Oguike (Group): Henri has been dubbed as one of the most musical choreographers of his generation. Oguike has been commissioned to make pieces for Phoenix Dance Theatre, Holland Dance Festival, Southbank Centre, Ballet Black and Rambert. Henri has now relaunched himself as a freelance artist recent projects included a new creation for Scottish Dance Theatre and a unique collaboration with Orchestra Of The Age of Enlightenment.