Xenia Aidonopoulou: Skydiver

Prepare to soar through the fluffy clouds where flocks of birds and butterflies flutter. Explore the dream-like world that waits above us, in this multi-sensory dance experience for families.

Take your little ones on a magical journey with Skydiver and experience how movement, sound and stunning visuals bring whimsical characters to life in an enchanting encounter in the skies.

Greek dance artist, dramaturg and director Xenia Aidonopoulou makes visually compelling dance-theatre works filled with wonder and imagination that will captivate even the youngest audience members.

Please note that this performance will contain Haze. This show also uses a small amount of flashing lights and haze, and the sound of thunderclaps. Please note there are two performances taking place on 22nd October. One at 12:15pm and the second at 2:30pm. Please click “Book Live Tickets” to book for either performance.

Pre-show craft workshop

Make a bird or a butterfly to dance in the sky. Free family craft workshop based on the mesmerising show. Taking place in the Gallery, no booking required.

Post-show dance workshop

Embark on an enchanting adventure as we invite you to a thrilling family dance workshop inspired by the mesmerising show. Book your place here.

Running time: 45 minutes

Xenia Aidonopoulou biography:

Xenia is a dance artist with a background in dance dramaturgy and performance. She makes visually compelling dance-theatre works and collaborates with multidisciplinary artists with stories to share. She has worked extensively in dance, for the National Theatre of Greece, the Athens and Epidaurus Festival, the Thessaloniki Concert Hall, Onasis Stagi and smaller art institutions. Between 2005 and 2017, she has worked as a dramaturg and creative consultant with Oktana Dancetheatre and choreographer/director Konstantinos Rigos, current Director of the Greek National Opera Ballet. She has also worked with various choreographers and directors, including Sivan Rubinstein, Georgia Tegou, Michalis Theophanous, Susan Kempster, Kate Flatt, Krishna Zivraj-Nair, Alexandros Efklidis, Simos Kakalas, Konstantinos Arvanitakis, Lenio Kaklea, Victor Arditti. Her work has been presented in venues including Greek National Opera, Sadler’s Wells, The Lowry, Polka Theatre, South Bank Centre and Royal Opera House. She is a member of the Dramaturgs’ Network, UK and a member of the Artist Development Troop at Cambridge Junction.

Cast and Credits
Concept & Direction: Xenia Aidonopoulou
Created with and performed by Lydia Walker, (JJ) William James/Yu-Chien Cheng and Phil Hulford
Music Composition: Jonny Pilcher
Costume Design: Mayou Trikerioti
Prop Maker: Mavi Curiel
Puppet and ‘Clouds’ Design: Alison Alexander
Scenography: Xenia Aidonopoulou, Alison Alexander, Mayou Trikerioti
Lighting Design: Chris Burr, Xenia Aidonopoulou
Creative Producer: Lia Prentaki
Production Manager: Chris Burr
Costume Maker: Caroline Husband
Cast at Stanley Arts: Philip Hulford  & Yu-Chien Cheng

Supporter credits:
Skydiver is a Little Big Dance commission, led by South East Dance, in partnership with Dance East, Yorkshire Dance and Take Art. Little Big Dance is funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Arts Council England.

Co-commissioned by Dance Umbrella and Strike a Light Festival.

Presented as part of the Orbital Touring Network in partnership with Unicorn Theatre, Stanley Arts, The Place, Studio 3 Arts and Watermans Arts Centre.

About Dance Umbrella:
Dance Umbrella is a London festival 45 years in the making and moving with the times. Every year our festival ignites London and online with the next generation of trailblazing artists. Since 1978, we have been an international home for dance across a global city, presenting more than 1,000 artists from 45 countries to over one million people. We have brought outstanding dance to more than 145 venues throughout London; from the high-profile stages of Sadler’s Wells, Southbank Centre and Barbican to local arts centres – and taking in the more unexpected locations of canal boats, ice rinks and carpark rooftops in between.

This event is part of Dance Umbrella Festival 2023, 6-31 October
Dance Umbrella is London’s international dance festival, taking place every October across the capital and online.
Booking and more via www.danceumbrella.co.uk

Photography credit to Nikolas Louka.