Play On Productions led an eight-month professional development project for 100 young people from across London. Culminating in ‘Circle of Power’ dance performance and touring exhibition at V&A, Bow Arts Trust and East Potential Gallery. Inspired by V&A’s 2010-11 Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes exhibition, the young people interpreted the V&A’s global cultures collection to produce art works that explored the rise and fall and rise again of civilizations.
Working in teams under the supervision of fifteen professional artists and a youth steering group 100 young people created costumes, sets, choreography, music, technical theatre, curation, art works, animation, learning resources, a film, a website and performed live-arts happenings, dance and music. Producing 4 exhibitions, 2 performances, 1 live art event, 1 website, 1 film, 2 family fun days, 1 school learning resource and gaining Arts Awards.
For the V&A Head of Schools, Families and Young People Kara Wescombe commented:
“The project offers young people an opportunity to develop and showcase their talents in an ambitious production where their own creativity will have dialogue with the historic values of bold cultural experimentation the Ballet Russes was famous for. For the V&A it is an opportunity to work with young people who haven’t visited before and learn more about how we can encourage young people from diverse backgrounds to develop their creative talents.”
Supported by Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Foundation and Merchant Taylors Trust.