Rough Cuts: We Are Not Beautiful by WomanEwer
About We Are Not Beautiful:
We Are Not Beautiful is WomanEwer’s vibrant and colourful new full length contemporary dance production which shines light on the women that protested against the Miss World Contest in 1970. Inspired by their protest slogan "We Are Not Ugly, We Are Not Beautiful, We're Angry!", the production recreates some of the narratives applied to the female body, and the clothes designed to be worn by women.
With a diverse cast of five women, We Are Not Beautiful is highly physical, fun, loud and bold, celebrating womanhood, survival and strength. The work is WomanEwer’s follow up to their powerful and deeply affecting debut production I Have a Bruise, an autobiographical advocacy piece for survivors of sexual abuse to have their own voice.
Under the artistic direction of Laura Kenyon, WomanEwer provides a connection between women through the arts and offers a safe space to explore ideas around discrimination, abuse and violence using movement, voice and visual art.
Artist bio:
Laura Kenyon is a Franco-British multi-disciplinary artist based in London. Her practice combines contemporary dance, visual arts, theatre, yoga & is motivated by womanhood & eco feminist themes. She is interested in exploring authentic movement & speech to release emotions & unlock trauma stored in certain parts of the body as a form of empowerment.
Laura created WomanEwer in 2020 to support survivors of sexual abuse through community workshops, performances & group discussions. Her work is supported by Arts Council England, ACCS & RASASC (Rape And Sexual Abuse Support Centre). Laura also works with Van Huynh Company in ‘DEP’, ‘Rebirth', ‘Exquisite Noise’, ‘Poster for Peace’, Etta Ermini Dance Theatre in ‘Glam’, Autin Dance Theatre in ‘Out of The Deep Blue’ and Levantes Dance Theatre in ‘Canape Art’, ‘High Tea With A Twist’ and ‘Carousel’.
Laura expanded WomanEwer across the UK and internationally, sharing the company's methodology through residencies, workshops, and performances. In Mexico, she collaborated with an independent women-led organisation- Arbol Torcido Artes Vivas, leading a two-week residency with 16 local women that culminated in a performance. In India, she has delivered workshops and performances of J’ai Un Bleu over multiple visits, most recently restaging the work during a two-week residency at Bangalore International Centre. She has also led residencies in Italy and France with non-professional women dancers aged 20–65.
Laura has participated in the Dance Bridges International Dance Festival in Kolkata three times: as choreography assistant, rehearsal director for Van Huynh Company, and guest residency choreographer. These international collaborations have deepened the exchange of women's stories across cultures, inspiring new approaches to creative practice and collective empowerment.
Production credits:
Artistic director and choreographer: Laura Kenyon
Rehearsal director: Sara Maurizi
Performing and devising artists: Jia-Yu Corti, JP Hon, Maya Orchin, Laura Ávila, Coco Guo, Karla Shacklock, Lauryn Pinard, Sara Maurizi and Laura Kenyon
Costume designer: Jade Tekhil and Laura Kenyon
Composer: Ed Doubleday
Lighting designer: Barnaby Booth
Supported by Mill Co.
Funded by Arts Council England
While WomanEwer are in The Dance Space they are holding an open company class Tuesday 15 - Thursday 17 September. Find out more and book here
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