The Durham Fringe Festival returns from July 24 – 28 for its fourth year, bringing an exciting new focus on dance and movement-based work. This year, the festival partners with Dance City, the North East region’s leading development organisation for dance, to enhance its dance offerings in response to audience feedback.
Dance City is thrilled to support with the Durham Fringe Festival. As an organisation dedicated to supporting emerging dance artists and dance organisations in the region, we provided the Fringe team with advice, guidance, and support in circulating calls for expressions of interest to perform. We also offered cross-promotion support and the loan of our portable dance floor. Additionally, Dance City’s own company, Boundless, will be performing at the festival.
Since its inception, the Durham Fringe Festival has grown steadily. This year, it will feature around 90 different shows across eight stages, totalling almost 250 performances over five days. In true fringe spirit, there is something for everyone. The festival’s additional focus on dance and movement will complement other popular genres like comedy, music, drama, cabaret, spoken word, children’s shows, and magic.
A notable new venue for 2024 is the Grade II listed Dunelm House, which will serve as the festival’s first-ever dance hub. Dance performances will be showcased in the Fonteyn Ballroom, named after Dame Margot Fonteyn, who was the chancellor of the University of Durham from 1981 to 1990. This year’s festival offers nine different dance shows, including works from established North East-based choreographers Eliot Smith and Dora Frankel, and three dance showcase events.
This triple bill of contrasting pieces, spanning three generations, showcases the enduring power of dance.
Boundless (Dance City’s company for older adults) presents ‘One Million,’ a vibrant piece created in collaboration with choreographer Alyssa Lisle. Inspired by music that transports one back in time – evoking moments, people, and places – the dance brings those memories alive. As a bonus, the company will also be giving a sneak preview of their quirky, latest work, ‘Café Boundless,’ choreographed by Beth Veitch.
This performance will be presented alongside Acroflex Acrobatic Arts, known for their unique fusion of dance and gymnastics.
The festival runs from Wednesday, July 24 to Sunday, July 28. Ticket prices are £9 (£6 concessions, £20 family ticket), with the Discover ticket offering access to three different shows for £20, encouraging audiences to try something new. Tickets are on sale now and selling fast, so book via Durham Fringe Events.
Other Dance & Movement Shows at Durham Fringe Festival 2024:
- Eliot Smith Dance: Past & Future
Experience two captivating dance works filled with passion and commitment. Eliot Smith Dance embraces the past with Paul Taylor’s ‘DUET’ from 1964 and looks to the future with Eliot Smith’s latest work, ‘HUMAN’. Expect technical brilliance and sublime energy. - Dora Frankel Ensemble: Fragments of Poe
A macabre and quirky night inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s gothic tales and the visual aesthetic of queer artist Aubrey Beardsley. Audiences are encouraged to dress the part. - Lizzie Klotz: Abundance
An intergenerational dance work featuring performers aged 15 – 75 years old, exploring themes of abundance and connection. - North East Dance Project: Branches
A celebration of the North East dance community, featuring pivotal classical ballets performed by Dame Margot Fonteyn alongside contemporary and physical theatre work. - Unearthed Dance Company: All, Here & Now
A contemporary dance piece described by Edinburgh audiences as “heartbreakingly beautiful,” exploring themes of equality, acceptance, and peace. - Alex Jade Wallace: You. Don’t. Think.
A physical theatre piece reflecting the struggles of sleep and the impact of restless thoughts and nightmares.
- Dance Showcase I: Boundless / Acroflex Acrobatic Arts
A split bill of two dance pieces. Boundless (Dance City’s company for older adults) presents “One Million”, a new and vibrant piece created in collaboration with choreographer Alyssa Lisle. Inspired by music that will take you back in time – to moments, people and places – the company brings these memories alive. Acroflex Acrobatic Arts bring their unique, beautiful fusion of dancing and gymnastics using their own bodies as the apparatus for balance, contortion and dance skills.
- Dance Showcase II: Talk / Just Enough Madness
A split bill featuring ‘TALK,’ an immersive dance performance combining contemporary movement and AI, and ‘Just Enough Madness,’ a solo work in the Indian dance style of Kuchipudi exploring mental health.
- Dance Showcase III: Talk / It’s Never Enough
‘TALK’ returns, paired with ‘It’s Never Enough’ by USA group Movement Factory, which uses contemporary dance and circus styles to question consumerism and human behavior.
Join us at the Durham Fringe Festival for a diverse and enriching dance experience! Please click the button below to be directed to their website and to book tickets.
