The Sticky Dance For Ages: 3-5 yrs and neurodivergent audiences 3-7 yrs

StickybyZoeManders 101 MAIN
  • Running Time: 120 mins

Early Years: Performance entrance slots are every 15 minutes, recommended time in the space is 45-60 minutes.

Neurodivergent: Performances are 60 minutes

 

An interactive performance for children and their families

Three dancers' shimmy through the audience weaving a tapestry of sticky tape in this tactile dance performance for young children. They invite you to tape, stick and groove, to see and feel sound or to be still, watch and listen. Audiences are encouraged to explore freely, choosing how they engage, and turning the rules upside down. 

The Sticky Dance is an interactive, engaging and colourful performance installation for children and their families.  

The Sticky Dance is co-created by Rosie Heafford & Takeshi Matsumoto, with designs by Alison Brown (Scottish Dance Theatre, Barrowland Ballet), lighting design by James Ball and a soundscape by Dinah Mullen (Rachel Mars Forge, Kate Cross/Tim Bell Squirrel).

Photos: Zoe Manders

Early Years Performances

The Sticky Dance is open for 2 hours for each performance. We recommend you spend approximately 45 minutes in the space, although you can choose to stay for longer or less. Entrance slots are available every 15 minutes. The first 2 slots have a lower capacity, for children who might prefer a gentler start. 

A visual story is available to help your family prepare for the experience: Visual Story 

Neurodivergent Performances

These performances of The Sticky Dance have a smaller capacity and are intended for neurodivergent audiences aged 3-7 years. The Sticky Dance is open for 60 minutes for each performance, although you can enter and leave the space when you choose.   

A visual story is available to help your family prepare for the experience: Visual Story

Notes on Access 

  • Children and families choose how they interact with the performers and the space 
  • There are no words as part of the performance, but the company may give some instructions or say hello 
  • The Sticky Dance does not use bright or flashing lights although it does incorporate a soundscape through speakers embedded in the set.  
  • Some of the structures in the set incorporate technology which translates the music into vibration. 
  • There is seating in the space including floor cushions and chairs.  
  • The performance installation is interactive, but you can participate in any way you feel comfortable; watching, listening, touching, dancing or moving about. You can find your own way to be; and our performers are there to join you, or play alongside you.

This performance is available for specialist schools for disabled and neurodivergent children. For more information, email emily@secondhanddance.co.uk

 

Creative Team

Concept & Artistic Direction: Rosie Heafford & Takeshi Matsumoto 

Performers: Andrei Nistor, Chloe Mead, Paolo Pisarra 

Swing: Lesley Howard 

Set & Costume Design: Alison Brown 

Sound Design: Dinah Mullen  

Lighting Design & Production Management: James Ball 

Production Advisor: Froud 

Company Tour Manager: Keir Patrick 

Technical Stage Manager: Niamh Percy/Joshua Lucas

Dramaturg: Neve Harrington

Audience Ambassadors: Chris Fonseca, Katherine Smith, Kimberley Harvey, Laura Dajao, Rachna Joshi

Previous Performances

2024

  • Southbank Centre
  • DanceEast
  • The Place
  • Brighton Festival
  • Spark Festival
  • Midlands Arts Centre
  • bOing! Festival
  • Cambridge Junction
  • Polka Theatre
  • Hullabaloo
  • The Egg, Theatre Royal
  • Gloucester Guildhall
  • Mill Arts Centre
Partners

Co-commissioned by The Southbank Centre and The Place, and South East Dance, with support from Stanley Arts and using public funding by Arts Council England.  

Thank you to Selhurst Nursery School, Addington Valley Academy, Crosfield Nursery School, Coin Street Children's Centre, and Cherry Garden School for supporting our creation process.