From: Gulb Marketing [gulbmarketing_at_kent_dot_ac_dot_uk]

Sent: 14 September 2015 12:57

Subject: James Cousins Dance at Gulbenkian

Visit our press site for images: http://www.thegulbenkian.co.uk/about-us/press/index.html

James Cousins Company
Without Stars | There We Have Been

Fri 25 Sep 7.30pm

Inspired by Haruki Murakami?s dark but beautifully tender novel, Norwegian Wood, James Cousins Company?s unmissable Without Stars and There We Have Been will be at Gulbenkian on Friday 25 September at 7.30pm.

Taking the themes of love, loss and friendship from the Japanese story, and adding his own unique quality to them, he has created a rich and powerful double-bill. A graduate of London Contemporary Dance School, James Cousins has moved seamlessly from performing work to creating it. The inaugural winner of Matthew Bourne?s New Adventures Choreography Award, Cousins was chosen for his ?refreshing desire to entertain? - the same reason those who see his work are hungry to return.

Like Bourne, Cousins knows how to communicate with an audience. He thinks outside the box, finding new and interesting ways to move the body and bring dancers together. Abstract yet utterly accessible, his choreography is dynamic, emotional and clever, with a complexity that provokes admiration rather than confusion.

In the space of a few short years, James Cousins has achieved more than many choreographers manage in a lifetime. Having created work for the National Ballet of Chile, Scottish Ballet and the Royal Ballet of Flanders amongst others, Cousins? reputation as a dancemaker worth watching grows by the hour. But the desire to work without compromise, with dancers of his own choosing, has led to the exciting creation of James Cousins Company.

The future of British contemporary dance is in safe hands.

?Intricate, beautifully danced?. Cousins is a rising star.? The Independent

?Outstanding... Visually breathtaking? The Stage

?simply beggars belief with their stamina (and) expressive artistry? The Herald

?Simply one of the most stunning contemporary dance pieces I have ever seen? Londondance.com

Without Stars | There We Have Been will be at Gulbenkian on Friday 25 September at 7.30pm. Tickets are ?12 (Student ?8). For more information and tickets please visit www.thegulbenkian.co.uk, or call 01227 769075.

ENDS.

Press Contact:

For interviews please contact, more information, press tickets and images please contact:
Jess Thomas, Marketing Officer, 01227 827956, j.l.thomas_at_kent_dot_ac_dot_uk
David Yard, Head of Marketing, 01227 824688, d.yard_at_kent_dot_ac_dot_uk

Or visit our press site for images: http://www.thegulbenkian.co.uk/about-us/press/index.html

About Gulbenkian

Gulbenkian is a key part of the University of Kent?s Arts Centre offering innovative, engaging and high quality arts activity for and with the public, staff and students. It provides a key role in delivering the University of Kent?s commitment to Public Engagement proving an interface between the University and the local and wider community Gulbenkian has a particular commitment to the creative empowerment of children and young people and talent development.

Arts Council England NPO

On 1 April 2015, Gulbenkian became an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. To find out more about this please see the Arts Council England website.