West Yorkshire Playhouse to host World Premiere of the first ever contemporary dance to commemorate Windrush, by Phoenix Dance Theatre

Internationally-acclaimed Phoenix Dance Theatre will present the World Premiere of Windrush: Movement of the People at West Yorkshire Playhouse next month, as 2018 marks the 70th Anniversary of the arrival of SS Empire Windrush to the UK. Windrush was the ship that brought the first large group of immigrants from the Caribbean and famously began the post-war immigration boom that was to radically change British society.

Fusing music and dance to create an inspiring production, Windrush: Movement of the People documents the journey from Jamaica to the UK, using a multi-cultural cast to tell an international story and celebrating a culture that is now part of the country’s fabric, set to an uplifting Blues, Ska and Reggae soundtrack by composer Gary Crosby OBE and Caution Collective’s Christella Listras.

Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre, and choreographer of Windrush: Movement of the People, Sharon Watson said: ‘I want to capture both the excitement and the upset of this significant event. Windrush will highlight both the struggles and the good times the Jamaican community experienced during those early years. It is an uplifting dance production but it shines a light on an important era of the history of black people in the UK.’

Windrush: Movement of the People will be presented alongside Shadows by Christopher Bruce and Calyx by Sandrine Monin.

Windrush: Movement of the People, Quarry Theatre
Wed 7 – Sat 10 Feb, Press Night Wed 7 Feb, 7.30pm
Box office 0113 213 7700.