DV8 Physical Theatre

For the comic book, see DV8.

DV8 Physical Theatre is a dance company based at Artsadmin in London, UK. It was founded in 1986 by an independent collective of chiefly modern dancers. It is led by Lloyd Newson, whose intent has been to have a different approach to most contemporary dance than other existing companies.^{[citation needed]} In particular, the company has been known to incorporate dancers with disabilities into its pieces, for example in the film The Cost of Living, which is both made by and features company participants. ^[1]

It has thus far produced 16 dance pieces, all of which have toured internationally, and 4 award-winning films for television featuring the types of modern dance they advance. They say they are performing works that break down the barriers between dance, theatre, and personal politics and, above all, that communicate ideas and feelings clearly and unpretentiously.^{[citation needed]}

Works include:

• "Can We Talk About This", for stage, 2011
• "To Be Straight With You", for stage, 2008
• "Just For Show" for stage 2005
• "The Cost of Living" for stage 2003 and for film in 2004
• "The Happiest Day of My Life" for stage 1999
• "Enter Achilles" for stage and film 1995
• "MSM" for stage 1993^[2]
• "Strange Fish" for stage and film 1992
• "Dead Dreams of Monochrome Men" for stage 1988 and for film in 1989
• "My Body, Your Body", for stage, 1987
• "My Sex, Our Dance", for stage and film, 1986

References

1. ^ http://www.dv8.co.uk/about_dv8/dv8_history
2. ^ Arditti, Michael (06 November 1993). "DANCE At the theatre of blood and bruises: DV8 tread a fine line between athleticism and masochism. Their new work MSM goes one step further.". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/dance--at-the-theatre-of-blood-and-bruises-dv8-tread-a-fine-line-between-athleticism-and-masochism-their-new-work-msm-goes-one-step-further-michael-arditti-reports-1502507.html. "Unlike his previous work, which was created from company improvisations, MSM is based on detailed research. The piece sprang from a project at the National Theatre Studio in which Newson and six hand-picked actors conducted formal interviews with men who 'cottaged'. They were given two days' technical training by a consultant and worked to a very specific brief, with guideline questions including personal background, age, job, how they defined themselves sexually and first 'cottaging' experience." 

External links

• DV8 website