upfront
WALES DANCE
PLATFORM
THIS June the nation’s foremost dancers, choreographers, artists and musicians
come together to present the country’s very first dance platform: a prestigious
three day celebration of dynamic talent and spellbinding work.
Hosted by three of the city’s most celebrated dance houses – Sherman Cymru,
Chapter Arts Centre and Wales Millennium Centre – this midsummer feast of dance
hits the country at the end of the month. From the creative minds of husband and wife
duo Roy Campbell-Moore and Ann Sholem, the Platform looks to play homage to the
work of independent choreographers, raising awareness of the fresh talent ready to
grace stages across the world.
With vibrant, experimental and eye-catching productions on display, Platform will
strengthen relationships between choreographers and theatre presenters. As
Campbell-Moore explains, “The format of the Platform is designed to show the full
spectrum of independent work from Wales’ vibrant dance scene and the ‘speeddating’ nature of short snappy presentations should entertain and entrance
audiences. All the work is self-selected by the choreographers, giving them a
chance to have total control over what they present.”
Led by Creu Cymru, the development agency for theatres and arts centres in
Wales, Platform takes place amidst preparations for British Dance Edition 2016,
the UK dance industry’s most esteemed event. In celebration, Platform will also be
awarding a £1,000 prize for the weekend’s most groundbreaking work.
“This is an opportunity for us to reward and recognise a talented artist who does not
have the support and resources of a dance company behind them, helping them build
their reputation and make more work in the future,” states Sholem. “We’re excited by
the choreographers who have submitted to present on the Platform this year and it’s
going to be an exhilarating weekend of stimulation and challenge.” AMBER BELL
Wales Dance Platform, various venues across Cardiff, Fri 27-Sun
29 June. Tickets: £2.50-£10 individual performances / £15 day
pass / £35 weekend pass. Info: www.walesdanceplatform.co.uk
UKE CAN DO IT
TWENTY years ago, the ukulele was seen as a comic
prop; the instrument a man might woo tourists with on
the beach, or played by a band of ruddy-faced old men
at a low-budget wedding. In 2014, to say the ukulele has
made a comeback is going beyond an understatement.
Despite several contemporary artists incorporating
the uke into their music (Sarah Bureilles, McFly, Jason
Mraz and Noah And The Whale to name a few) – it is
the Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain who have really
revolutionized the ukulele; transforming it from a poor
man’s guitar to its quirky equal.
After sell-out concerts worldwide, the orchestra are now
bringing their original vibes to Wales (with the exciting
promise of new songs and new ukes). After emerging
from a one-off gig in 1985 that was intended as ‘just a
bit of fun’, the decet have collaborated with Madness,
The Kaiser Chiefs, and The Ministry Of Sound. A
prized stint on Ant n Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway
serves to epitomize the transformation of the uke from
BUZZ 24
a ‘hippie hobby’ to an instrument now officially ‘down
with the kids’.
The UOGB have described themselves as “halfway
between a rock and roll band and an orchestra”. In
truth, however, there is no easy way to describe the
players. Their diversity makes them appealing to
young and old alike; their concerts would also prove
an ideal night out for students craving an alternative
to the repetitive beats of Tiger Tiger or Glam.
‘Repetition’ is certainly an absent concept in their
past performances: from the deep voiced orchestra
founder George taking lead vocals in a cover of Kate
Bush’s Wuthering Heights, to a stunning rendition of
Adele’s Rolling In The Deep, where lilting vocals from
Hester are complimented by intricate and spirited
strumming from the ukes. Innovative classical mix-ups
such as Land Of Hope And Britannia are performed
alongside rousing versions of I Want To Be Like You
from The Jungle Book, Bohemian Rhapsody and
Teenage Dirtbag.
Perhaps it’s fitting that the very word ukulele
translates from Hawaiian as ‘jumping flea’. Whilst
there is certainly nothing small about the orchestra,
they embody this energetic essence of what real
Ukulele playing should be: an unusually delightful
juxtaposition of sounds, techniques, oomph and
exuberance. CHARLOTTE WACE
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain,
Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, Fri 13 June.
Tickets: £22-£23. Info: 01874 611622 /
www.brycheiniog.co.uk; Grand Theatre,
Swansea, Sat 14 June. Tickets: £18.50.
Info: 01792 475715 / www.swanseagrand.
co.uk; St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Sun 15
June. Tickets: £18. Info: 029 2087 8500 /
www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk.