Dance / Impermanence Dance Theatre
Bold vision positions The Mount Without at the heart of Bristol’s dance community
Visitors to The Mount Without will, to a person, have been hard pressed not to be wowed by the beauty of the venue.
It is also a stunning setting for performance of all kinds, and regularly hosts avant-garde cabaret nights which reflect that.
But it is dance that is at the forefront, with Impermanence making TMW its home, following the venue’s spectacular refurb and reopening in 2021.
is needed now More than ever
Co-directors Josh Ben-Tovim and Roseanna Anderson set up the company in 2011, with Alessandro Marzotto-Levy and some fellow graduates from the Rambert School.
Their vision was “to create transformative, entertaining, world-class productions and build a thriving dance scene in Bristol”.
The Major Arcana at The Mount Without – photo: Paul Blakemore
As Impermanence, they have made work for cabaret, stage and film, touring to widespread acclaim both nationally and internationally.
Currently, they are developing a mixed bill of new work for the Bristol Old Vic main stage in May 2023. “We can’t wait,” smiles Ben-Tovim.
“It will include a piece about the British Surrealist artist Leonora Carrington, an epic visual feast exploding the links between modernism and fascism, and a collaboration with composer Hollie Harding, author George Monbiot and the London Symphony Orchestra.”
Cree Barnett Williams at The Mount Without – photo: Paul Blakemore
But having their own home now affords the company a springboard to invite other artists, and touring companies to Bristol, and to start raising the prominence of dance within the city, not least by introducing the genre to new audiences.
They are currently fundraising towards this goal, and working towards a programme launch in the spring.
“Our plan is to present a five night run of a different dance show at The Mount Without each month,” explains Ben-Tovim.
“We hope this will have a transformational impact on the dance ecology of the city, making dance a regular fixture throughout the year, and giving audiences the chance to see some of the most exciting contemporary work being made.”
Kennedy Muntanga Dance Theatre – photo: John Morgan
In September, Impermanence will be welcoming the world premiere of lauded choreographer and dancer Seke Chimutengwende’s It Begins in Darkness, for a four night run.
The work is described as “a dance full of ghosts”; “an environment for processing the fear, anger and confusion which arise from the histories of slavery and colonialism that still haunt the present”.
“There will be a sense of ritual and of something that only happens in the space between audience and performer,” says Ben-Tovim, “so come and be a part of that; we warmly invite you.”
It Begins In Darkness – photo: Seke Chimutengwende
And on November 26, iconic choreographer Lea Anderson brings new ‘democratic club-based extravaganza’ Shuffle to the venue, featuring street and hip hop dancers from Bristol.
For those considering watching a dance performance for the first time, Ben-Tovim is keen to persuade audiences that this is an ideal way in. “If you’ve never been to a dance show before, then we encourage you to give it a go,” he enthuses.
“The Mount Without is a genuinely beautiful space just to spend an evening in, with a great bar in the crypt, and watching professional dancers up close and personal is unlike anything else.”
Jane Mason at The Mount Without – photo: Paul Blakemore
It Begins in Darkness is at The Mount Without on September 27-30 at 8pm. Tickets are available via the box office at www.bristololdvic.org.uk.
Shuffle is on November 26; tickets are available via www.headfirstbristol.co.uk.
To keep updated on all upcoming events at TMW, visit www.impermanence.co.uk/whats-on; follow @impermanence___ on Insta or @ImpermanenceDT on Twitter.
Main photo: Evoke Pictures
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