Dynamic Dance for the Young

With its captivating blend of modern dance, street dance, electric boogie and physical theatre, Uppercut has created its own unique style on the frontier between modern dance and theatre. These professional dance theatre performances have great appeal for children and young people, because they use the latest styles and deal with subjects that are relevant to a young target group.
 
The theatre’s huge outreach program has opened doors to a whole new audience group. The theatre has performed in many venues where one would normally not see dance theatre: At the office, at conferences, in Parliament, in the park, at the museum, in the library – even on the ice during a curling match!  In addition, the company has performed at the new, small stage of the Danish Royal Theatre and other theatres.

The productions have been created in collaboration with film and theatre directors, modern composers, and visual artists from all over the world. Choreographers such as Gill Clarke (UK), Janet Smith (UK), Doug Varone (US), Sean Curran (US), and David Dorfman (US) have had guest stints with Uppercut. In addition, the theatre participates in the EU project, Glitterbird, which supports performances and cultural experiences for the very young.

The theatre is based in Copenhagen’s multiethnic Northwest quarter, where the community dance project introduces dance to children and young people.

Current Productions

Twist
(2005)
A dance thriller virtually without words, danced by four young dancers with a blend of modern dance, breakdance, electric boogie, and physical theatre, with beautiful lighting and staging. An evening at a discotheque brings four young people face-to-face with violence. Jealousy, anger and love are brought to a boil.  Young people can relate this performance to their everyday life, where conflicts can arise anywhere at any time.
Age group: 12 years old and up
Max. audience number: Depends on the venue

Skal vi danse? / Shall We Dance?
(2005)
Two dancers, a colourful patchwork quilt, and 10 large, squashy blocks create the foundation for a warm, wordless performance about friendship, inventiveness and play.  The performance ends with an invitation for young toddlers to dance!  Part of the EU project Glitterbird. May be performed inside and outside.
Age group: 1–4 years old
Max. audience number: 40 children

Champions
(2004)
A howlingly funny, wordless performance that blends modern dance and breakdance. Four top-flight sports stars fight their way through a variety of sports to the victor’s platform. But when the road to success always means the defeat of others, what happens to play, friendship and love?  A tour de force through the world of sports and competition. May be performed inside and outside.
Age group: 6 years old and up
Max. audience number: Depends on the venue

Review Extracts

“Everything from badminton and boxing to football, fitness and fencing is elegantly brought onto the field by four young dancers who deftly switch between breakdance and modern dance.”
Berlingske Tidende (DK), Champions

”It was a battle to the finish with everything from red boxing gloves to tricky footballs and flamenco to capoeira matches .... It was mostly about winning the battle of love, trying to keep the ball dribbling when she would rather be spinning with another.”
Politiken (DK), Champions

International Tours

2005
Danish children’s culture week /FEZ (Berlin/DE)
Glitterbird/Kolibri Theatre (Budapest/HU)

In addition, in 2005, Dans i Nordvest has participated in cultural exchanges in Berlin (in collaboration with Schlesische 27) and New York (in collaboration with the National Dance Institute). 
In recent years, the Uppercut Danseteater has performed in Germany, Hungary, France, Greenland, the Baltics, Ireland, and various locations in Scandinavia.