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Diana Niepce: The Other Side of Dance

As part of Dance Umbrella festival 2024, Diana Niepce delves into an alternative dance history, challenging conventional aesthetics of the body and movement.

More details for Queen Elizabeth Hall
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Dancer in contorted position, holding their feet by their head, against a black background. They wear a black and white zigzagged leggings and a pink shirt.

In her earlier work, dancer, choreographer and acrobat Diana Niepce explored her journey of self-recovery following a spinal cord injury from a trapeze accident.

Since then, she has sought innovative ways to express herself, aiming to integrate the disabled body into mainstream dance.

She rigorously tests her own body, using minimal staging and occasional cutting sarcasm to present the non-normative body as revolutionary rather than victimised.

Recognised as a compelling figure in Portuguese dance, Niepce describes The Other Side of Dance as ‘a survey of the invisible in dance history’. Drawing inspiration from artists like Bill Shannon, Claire Cunningham and David Toole, she redefines the laws of movement.

She is joined on stage by three ‘performer assistants’ who support her through this intense exploration of an alternative dance history.

The performance is followed by an extended discussion with the choreographer, delving into the themes of the work.

Presented in collaboration with Dance Umbrella

Need to know

Age guidance
For ages 16+
Content warnings
Contains some scenes involving partial nudity
Event information

A post-show talk takes place after the performance

Diana Niepce performing an acrobatic movement on a suspended pole
Paulo Pimenta
View larger image 1 of 4. Diana Niepce performing an acrobatic movement on a suspended pole
Diana Niepce laying on a stage face down and arms splayed, lit by 4 stage lights
Paulo Pimenta
View larger image 2 of 4. Diana Niepce laying on a stage face down and arms splayed, lit by 4 stage lights
Diana Niepce sitting on a stage with her head down, legs folded over one another and arms in a cross shape
Paulo Pimenta
View larger image 3 of 4. Diana Niepce sitting on a stage with her head down, legs folded over one another and arms in a cross shape
Diana Niepce on a dark stage looking and pointing toward the ceiling
Eduardo Breda
View larger image 4 of 4. Diana Niepce on a dark stage looking and pointing toward the ceiling

Access

The post-show talk is British Sign Language interpreted (BSL).

To book tickets for BSL interpretation, email [email protected] or call us on 020 3879 9555.

You can join our free Access Scheme through your online Southbank Centre account or via email.
Find out more about our Access Scheme
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For your visit

This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre

The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.

Queen Elizabeth Hall building at Southbank Centre View larger image

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All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.

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