We Touch, We Play, We Dance For Ages: 0-3
- October 2019 - current
- Running Time: 45 mins
The four dancers in We Touch, We Play, We Dance weave around the space, inviting babies and children to join them in a warm hearted and playful performance.
With music mixed live by a DJ, the dancers respond to the children, guiding them through a series of exchanges and encounters, with high fives, hugs and dancing.
Created by Second Hand Dance, We Touch, We Play, We Dance is a mesmerising, engaging and fun performance for children under 3. It’s a show filled with surprises and joys where you and your child can listen and watch or let loose and join in, either way, you'll have a wonderful time.
“Watching other bodies move makes something move inside you” Exeunt Magazine
Your Safety
This show is about dance, play and touch. You and your little one can choose to do this or watch and enjoy. The dancers and DJ take Covid tests before each show, sanitize their hands, the space and seating. We'll have plenty of sanitizer for you as well.
Please contact claire@tandemworks.uk for bookings and information.
Photos: Zoe Manders
Creative Team
Rosie Heafford - Concept & Artistic Direction
Keir Patrick - Deputy Director
Amarnah Amulundun - Dancer
Mariana Camilotti - Dancer
Marc Stevenson - Dancer
Paolo Pisarra - Dancer
Froud - Sound Designer and Technical Manager
Helen Mugridge - Technical Manager
Ben Pacey - Costume, Set & Lighting Designer
Katherine Morley - Dramaturg
Claire Summerfield - Executive Producer
Emily Jameson - Producer
Claire Cunningham & Olive Kane - Assistant Producers
Thanks to Takeshi Matsumoto & Michael Sherin who devised and performed the show in 2019, and to Helena Webb who was part of the Research & Development.
Performance Dates
Previous Performances
2019
- The Egg, Theatre Royal
- The Place
- Gulbenkian
- Deda
- Chapter Arts
2022
- The Lowry
- Cambridge Junction
- Southbank Centre
- Pavilion Dance South West
- Chats Palace
- The Mill Arts Centre
Reviews
I like that dance is inherently sensory – watching other bodies move makes something move inside you – and Touch takes this one step further, inviting physical contact between performers and audience. For the little ones, it encourages play, curiosity, exploration. For me, I come out feeling looser, more alert.
Exuent Magazine
I loved being able to watch a piece of dance, enjoy it and see my children learn to love it too. I hope this is the start of us being able to enjoy dance together more often. I have said in my blogs in the past that I have found it hard to engage with arts activities like I used to but after this performance I feel like I have found something that has been missing from my life for a while and it is lovely to have it back.
Greatest Showmum
Wonderful cast, and generous engagement in a relaxed environment
Audience member
A widely diverse cast of 4 who were fluid, engaging and captivating. A great show for active babies and toddlers to explore movement
Audience Member
Engaging and incredibly valuable children’s dance performance. It was such a beautiful way for the youngest ones to experience art, diversity of humans and communication
Audience Member
Fantastic performance of Touch at The Gulbenkian this morning. Beautiful dancers who listened and responded to the babies sensitively but inquisitively. A real uplifting morning – thank you!
Audience member
Partners
Commissioned by The Place, Pavilion Dance South West and supported by The Egg, Gulbenkian, Bath Spa University and using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Research and development of Touch was supported by Polka Theatre, developed through the Hopper Early Years scheme with the support of Take Art, Surrey Arts, China Plate, Arts Partnership Surrey, and Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
