WASTELAND at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Acclaimed British choreographer Gary Clarke brings the eagerly anticipated sequel to his multi award-winning production, COAL to the Lawrence Batley Theatre. Exhilarating and deeply moving, WASTELAND is a thrilling new dance show celebrating the birth of UK rave culture.
Following on from COAL, which explored the cultural devastation of the miners’ strike, WASTELAND delves into the birth of the illegal rave scene of the 1990s. Despair melts into euphoria as this new genre of music and dance emerges. This highly visual and visceral dance-theatre production shines a light on the communities during this era of radical upheaval.
WASTELAND delves into the birth of the illegal rave scene of the 1990s.
Created to mark the 25th anniversary since the demolition of the Grimethorpe Colliery in South Yorkshire and three decades since the UK rave scene started up, WASTELAND explores this pivotal time in history through a father and son relationship; as one generation’s livelihood grinds to a halt, the other burgeons into the illegal rave scene, where abandoned industrial spaces become a hotbed for a new, exciting music and dance community.
A gritty, ambitious and carefully crafted dance-theatre show.
Packing a punch, WASTELAND fuses Gary Clarke’s stunning physical movement style with archive film footage, a powerful rave soundtrack and vivid artwork by British artist Jimmy Cauty, who is best known as one half of the duo, The KLF. A company of exceptional dancers bring the story to life alongside a community cast of singers – the result is a gritty, ambitious and carefully crafted dance-theatre show.
Emotionally charged and sensitive, WASTELAND explores the power and resilience of community, and dance as a powerful medium for social commentary. Unmissable.
