Some of the UK’s finest Bboys and BGirls bring Speakeasy to Newbury

On Thursday (September 21) local youth dance group ACE Dance Company will be joining Southpaw Dance Company for their production of Speakeasy at the Corn Exchange .

Southpaw Dance Company, under the artistic direction of Robby Graham, create dance theatre based in a strong movement vocabulary of breaking (Bboying), contemporary dance and physical theatre.

Since forming in 2013, Southpaw has become known as one of the most innovative UK companies, creating and touring work both nationally and internationally for indoor and outdoor venues.

Speakeasy features a spectacular 1920s themed set, world-class projection visuals, a cinematic soundtrack comprising big band classics and contemporary hits, alongside the distinctive Southpaw movement vocabulary.

Speakeasy is a reinterpretation of the classic tale of Faust, where Faust enters a seemingly normal prohibition era bar, unaware that the bar is owned by the devil and populated by his demons, including the charismatic barman, Mephistopheles.

The professional cast includes some of the UK’s finest Bboys and BGirls (breakdancers) who combine the vocabulary of breaking and contemporary seamlessly alongside charleston, lindy and other swing styles of the roaring 20s.

Big band classics such as Benny Goodman and Count Basie, alongside Leonard Cohen and Agnes Obel, form an audio landscape to the piece that is at once vintage and contemporary, intimate and spectacular.

Joining them on stage will be members of ACE Dance Company, who have been learning choreography in online rehearsals with Southpaw and will perform in several scenes of their show.

ACE Dance company have been running for 20 years, led by artistic director Laura Kelleher Byrne, and now have three Youth Dance Companies – JUNIOR:ACE for 11-13s, APPRENT:ACE for 14+ and ACE:COMPANY for 16-21s.

Speakeasy starts at 7.45pm. Age guide: 8+.

To book or for more information, visit www.cornexchangenew.com