Ana Luján Sánchez returns to Phoenix following the performances of her piece cervaNtes in 2008 with her first new work for the company, Catch. Taking its concept from René Magritte’s famous painting The Son of Man, this abstract work immerses the audience in the world of the surreal through intricate and thought provoking choreography, creating a distinctive piece that is as iconic and intriguing as the artwork which inspired it.
"the dancers are excellent, and Sanchez has a great sense of both drama and design"
The Guardian, October 2012
"wonderfully theatrical"
Evening Standard, October 2012
"It’s quirky and robotic, irrational and fun"
The Times, October 2012
CATCH SUPPORTED BY
ANA LUJAN SANCHEZ | CHOREOGRAPHER
Born in Valencia, Ana studied at Maria del Mar García, Mari Cruz Alcalá and Classical Ballet of Valencia before moving to the UK to train at Rambert School of Ballet & Contemporary Dance. She danced professionally for Ballet Clásico de Valencia, Rambert Dance Company, Cienfuegos Danza, Ananda Dansa and Phoenix Dance Theatre.
Throughout her career she has worked with numerous choreographers including Richard Alston, Karole Armitage, Mark Baldwin, Rafael Bonachela, Kim Brandstrup, Christopher Bruce, Michael Clark, Robert Cohan, Merce Cunningham, Siobhan Davies, Mats Ek, Javier De Frutos, Jeremy James, Per Jonsson, Jiri Kylian, Lindsay Kemp, Wayne McGregor, Ohad Naharin, Ian Spink, Paul Taylor, Glen Tetley, Twyla Tharp, Didi Veldman, Fin Walker, Glen Wilkinson, Antony Tudor, Aletta Collins, Enrique Rodavalho, Toni Aparisi, Joshua Cienfuegos and Rosángeles Valls.
Ana has choreographed work for Rambert School, the workshops at RDC, The Curve Foundation Dance Company, Resolution-London, and her piece cervaNtes was performed by Phoenix in 2008. She also choreographed the short Film Helena. Ana has taught classical and contemporary technique widely and was rehearsal director at both Verve and Phoenix.
She was voted ‘Best Female Contemporary Artist’ at the 2003 Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards and nominated for the ‘Spotlight Award, Female Artist (Modern)’ category at the 2008 awards. She also won the ‘Artes Escénicas Award‘ for her performance in Necesidad de Silencio. Ana is currently an Associate Artist of Phoenix Dance Theatre. More information on her work can be found at www.arts-bridge.com
BORUT KRZISNIK | MUSIC
Borut is a Slovenian contemporary composer, based in Ljubljana. He has released six albums; Valse Brutal (KUD France Prešeren), Sacre Du Temps (Station Zuid), Stories from Magatrea (KUD France Prešeren/Falcata-Galia Recordings), La Dolce Vita (FV, Ljubljana/Discordia, Willich), Currents of Time (Recommended Records/Tone Casualties) and A Life in Suitcases (First Name Soundtracks) from which the track Festa, which forms part of the music for Catch, is taken.
He scored the music for Peter Greenaway's film trilogy Tulse Luper Suitcases and also worked with Greenaway on, amongst others, the theatre play Gold – 92 Bars in the Broken Car, the documentary The Reitdiep Journeys, the site specific installation Grand Terp and the Map to Paradise exhibition. He composed the music for the theatre performances Nietzsche Contra Wagner and Anchorpectoris – United States of Mind, and the dance piece Sacre Du Temps, choreographed by Edward Clug. He has also worked on numerous theatre performances with directors Emil Hrvatin and Julie-Anne Robinson.
Borut was the initiator and a member of Data Direct, a group that united Slovenian, Italian and Yugoslav musicians, and has worked with the groups Laibach and Borghesia. He was awarded both the Vespa prize for best music at the 2008 Slovenian Film Festival and 1st prize at the Napoli Danza Festival.
ED RAILTON | LIGHTING DESIGNER
Ed is much in demand as one of the leading creative lighting designers in the UK. Specialising in musical theatre and dance, his recent lighting credits include Source 2, Eng-er-land, Pave Up Paradise (Phoenix Dance Theatre); Find Me Amongst the Black (Darshan Singh Bhuller); Ballet Central 2012 (Central School of Ballet); Radio 1’s Big Weekends (BBC) and Beyond the Barricade (Beyond the Barricade Ltd.)
Ed is also director of Limelite Lighting who supply a wide range of production lighting and rigging equipment to the entertainment industry. Recent projects include Tinie Tempah, Tinchy Stryder, Jessie J and Chase n Status.
LORNA CLAYTON | COSTUME DESIGNER
Since graduating from the Arts Institute at Bournemouth in 2006, Lorna has toured nationally and internationally as a Wardrobe Mistress with a diverse range of productions. These include Eclipse Theatre’s The Hounding of David Oluwale and Birmingham Stage Company’s Horrible Histories and Kensuke’s Kingdom. Lorna has also worked at Northern Ballet Theatre, Opera North and with Raymond Gubbay Productions.
Whilst still working as a freelance costumier, Lorna has been working with Phoenix Dance Theatre since 2007 and in 2009 became the Costume Supervisor, designing and making for, amongst others, Isira Makuloluwe’s Locked in Vertical, Richard Wherlock’s Switch and most recently Kwesi Johnson’s SoundClash.
ELIZABETH HARTLEY | COSTUME MAKER
The dancers overcoats in Catch were made by Leeds based freelancer Elizabeth Hartley.
Rehearsals revealed: Catch
Former dancer and Rehearsal Director Ana Luján Sánchez returns to Phoenix in 2012 with the world premiere of her newest work Catch as part of Crossing Points. We caught up with her during rehearsals to find out more about the piece.
