The Sticky Dance
Three dancers shimmy through the audience weaving a tapestry of sticky tape in this tactile dance performance for young children. They invite you to tape, stick and groove, to see and feel sound or to be still, watch and listen. Explore freely, choosing how you engage, and turn the rules upside down.
The Sticky Dance is an interactive, engaging and colourful performance installation for children and their families. Open for two hours for each performance, we recommend you spend approximately 45 minutes in the space, although you can choose to stay for longer or less.
Please book one of the entrance slots available every 15 minutes. The first two slots have a lower capacity, for children who might prefer a gentler start. Late comers can join in at any time and you can move in and out of the space as needed. However if the space is already full, we may ask you to wait.
The Sticky Dance is co-created by Rosie Heafford & Takeshi Matsumoto, with designs by Alison Brown (Scottish Dance Theatre, Barrowland Ballet), and a soundscape by Dinah Mullen (Rachel Mars Forge, Kate Cross/Tim Bell Squirrel).
Presented in partnership with Brighton Festival.
Second Hand Dance are also presenting a sensory adapted version of The Sticky Dance, suitable for autistic/neurodivergent audiences on the same day from 2pm–3pm & 3.15pm–4.15pm. This can be booked using the same booking button on this page.
Notes on Access
- Children and families choose how they interact with the performers and the space
- There are no words as part of the performance, but the company may give some instructions or say hello
- A visual story to help your family prepare for the experience will be available to view/download
- The Sticky Dance does not use bright or flashing lights although it does incorporate a soundscape through speakers embedded in the set
- Some of the structures in the set incorporate technology which translates the music into vibration
- There is seating in the space including floor cushions and chairs
- The performance installation is interactive, but you can participate in anyway you feel comfortable; watching, listening, touching, dancing or moving about. You can find your own way to be; and our performers are there to join you, or play alongside you
Image Credit: Zoe Manders.
Presented in partnership with Brighton Festival.
Co-commissioned by The Southbank Centre and The Place, and South East Dance, with support by Stanley Arts. Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
About Second Hand Dance
Established in 2013, Second Hand Dance has an adaptive leadership model, and is run by disabled and non-disabled Co-Directors Rosie Heafford and Claire Summerfield. They work (inter)nationally with local and regional impact creating joyful, inspirational performances and digital dance films for children and adults. They collaborate with dancers, film makers, animators, musicians and our audiences in a co-creation process that is accessible, welcoming to all bodies, and places the audience experience at its centre.