PanicLab’s Double Trouble will be staged at Dance City, Newcastle on Thursday July 9 as part of the build up to leading LGBT festival, Newcastle Pride.
The unique event, run in partnership with performing arts company PanicLab and directed by choreographer Joseph Mercier, will include two new works, both in keeping with Pride’s One Love theme.
Swan Lake 2: Dark Waters, which challenges the aesthetics of classical ballet, will explore the figure of the prince from Swan Lake, as he journeys through ecstasy and despair, with touches of emotive humour.
And Versus, performed by Joseph Mercier and Jordan Lennie, will use a mix of choreographed movement, wrestling, storytelling and song to explore gender and sexual identities in competitive environments, while challenging both performers to push against their own thresholds of pain and pleasure.
Anthony Baker, Artistic Director and Joint CEO at Dance City, said: “Every season we try to encourage more people to discover dance by offering a number of performances for just £5. We are delighted to be able to continue this initiative with PanicLab Double Trouble and to support Newcastle Pride 2015.”
PanicLab Double Trouble at Dance City forms part of a series of satellite events taking place in the run up to Newcastle Pride 2015.
Others include a two-week exhibition of “Queer Zines,” magazines and other rare press at NewBridge Books, Newcastle from Saturday July 11, which has been designed to celebrate the history of LGBT culture in print.
There will also be free film screenings at Tyneside Cinema, Bar and Café, including Mommie Dearest (July 13), Priscilla Queen of the Desert (July 15) and Lust in the Dust (July 16).
The festival itself returns to the city’s Town Moor with three days of live music and activities from Friday July 17.
Highlights across the weekend include headline performances by B*Witched and Belinda Carlisle, as well as a parade from the Civic Centre and a host of themed entertainment zones.
Mark Nichols, chair of charity Northern Pride, which organises the annual event, said: “Newcastle Pride has grown bigger every year and this time we’re delighted to have Dance City and NewBridge Books on board for 2015.
“Both events offering a unique opportunity for people to explore key issues affecting the LGBT community and to embrace our One Love theme.”
Tickets for PanicLab Double Trouble at Dance City, priced at £5 per person are available at www.dancecity.co.uk or by calling the Ticket Office on 0191 261 0505 and include both live performances and a post-show talk.
The Queer in Print exhibition will run at NewBridge Books from July 11 to July 25, with doors open Tuesday to Saturday from 12pm until 6pm. There will also be a special preview form 6pm until 9pm on July 10. Entry is free.
For more information about both events and a full line up for Newcastle Pride 2015 visit www.northern-pride.com or by searching northernprideuk on Facebook and Twitter.
