Performance – Rachel Dean / Speedwell Dance

Thumbelina

“I absolutely can’t recommend this enough! It’s a beautiful interactive performance piece for kids that’s been devised in such a mindful way. Gentle, creative, and collaborative – such a special show!” – Audience Feedback TOUR DATES 2023 Sat 28 Oct: Bicester Library, OxfordshireTue 31 Oct: Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton Wed 1 Nov: Leintwardine Community Centre,… Read More »

Entwined

A dancer and a dressmaker use cloth, pins and bodies to weave the curious, fantastical and real stories of women’s lives “It’s an entrancing piece..” Sanjoy Roy, Resolution! Review

Love in Idleness

A magical, mischievous and charming Midsummer Eve’s adventure through a garden “By the end the audience had so much become a part of the piece that we happily joined in the dancing. I was captivated, dazzled and intrigued. I was spellbound.” Audience member

Nativity

A full-body collision with the enduring power of the myth and magic of the Virgin Mary “So inspiring we ran outside afterwards to make snow angels!” Audience Feedback

Wolf

An invitation to wilfully stray into the fascination, hunger and fear of a fairytale so familiar it runs through us like a current. “Rachel Dean is a very self-possessed performer. Or perhaps just plain possessed. She begins to sing and there is something captivating in her simple confidence. Like hearing old folklore for the first… Read More »

Mathilde

A collective of five musicians and dancers performing and researching improvisation “The best thing I saw at this year’s Light Night” Audience member

The Train Pulled Out, The Light Pulled In

Choreographed with Dance BPA students at York St John University “It was great to see the space being used in a different way and I was particularly pleased to see museum visitors and staff enjoying it. A very successful project.” Zoe Roberts, Learning and Public Programmes, National Railway Museum

My Heart Now Goes Walking Round Outside My Body

Rachel Dean dives headlong into the moment by moment unfolding of life with her toddler Eliza “It was brilliant. Invigorating and calming in equal measure.” Ruth Churchill Dower, Early Arts

Now You Are Here

A negotiation of performance and parenting by three new mothers “I absolutely loved it. I’ve got goosebumps now thinking of it.” Audience member Rachel Dean, Marie Hallager Andersen and Daliah Toure are three dance artists who performed together for many years. In the year they all became mothers they came together with guest dancers and… Read More »

Between Earth & Sky

A pregnant woman’s response to Whitworth Art Gallery’s exhibition of ‘reclining and recumbent bodies’ “Burst beyond our expectations in a truly wonderful way.” Precarious Assembly

Together

A celebration of movement, life and family created with a community cast “A brilliant project, relaxed and friendly sessions and leader. A chance to explore and spend time together with my child having lots of fun.” Parent of 7 month old child