News

Dance students from Trinity Laban are among 150 performers to ‘storm the Tower of London’ this July at a large-scale event directed by internationally-acclaimed choreographer Hofesh Shechter in celebration of east London’s cultural diversity.

Incognito Dance Company – a group formed by eleven second-year students at Trinity Laban – were chosen to work with Shechter and up-and-coming choreographer James Finnemore on East Wall.

Running from 18 – 22 July, East Wall brings together dance styles from across London, fuelled by rousing music from The Band of the Irish Guards, contemporary a cappella vocal group The Gold Vocal Collective, rock musicians, strings and vocalists. From grime to gospel, krump to contemporary, this epic event highlights East London’s diversity and puts its rich cultural heritage centre stage.

East Wall is produced by the Hofesh Shechter Company and East London Dance, and commissioned by Historical Royal Palaces as part of the LIFT Festival 2018. It is the Tower of London’s first major artistic presentation since the award-winning poppies installation, Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, in 2014.

Inspired by the rebellious history of the site itself, dynamic new work by choreographers Shechter, Finnemore, Becky Namgauds, Duwane Taylor and Joseph Toonga is expected to attract an audience of some 10,000 people over a five-night run. Performers and audience will take over the iconic site’s moat for this exciting, bold, and inspiring family-friendly outdoor performance.

Incognito Dance Company are: Diamanto Hadjizacharia, Angus Bartlett, Darren Payne, Daphne Margeli, Dominique Baker, Elisa Ingrassia, Hannah Thomas, Lily Bracey, Rebecca Piersanti, Yvonne Rossi and Zara Sands. 

Group Leader Diamanto says-

“As Incognito Dance Company, we are all very excited and lucky to be part of such a wonderful journey. The project started in April this year, and we’ve had weekly sessions in the Laban Building with our assigned choreographer James Finnemore, plus several intensive weekends where the full cast came together to create and share. It has taken a lot of time, but what an incredible experience!”

Watch the East Wall: Storm the Tower trailer on YouTube

Tickets are available from the LIFT Festival website, priced from £12

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Find out more about BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance at Trinity Laban