Shoreline

Shoreline (2016 – 2017)

A Dance and Choral Work

Shoreline was a captivating interdisciplinary performance that blended dance, choral music, and the stunning natural beauty of the coastline of the Southwest of England. Created for and performed on beaches around Cornwall and in Bournemouth, this poignant work was brought to life by a company of professional dancers and a community choir made up of singers from across Cornwall.

The creation of Shoreline was deeply inspired by the stories of local people. Public calls and invitations to members of the choir encouraged the sharing of personal accounts and memories of favourite coastal locations. These contributions, alongside the harrowing news from 2016 about refugees and migrants arriving by boat on the shores of Greece, shaped the choreography and musical composition, giving the work an emotional and global context.

The performance not only celebrated the landscapes of Cornwall and the Southwest Coast but also touched on themes of migration, human connection, and the impact of the sea. The choreography reflected both the beauty and the turbulence the sea and the coast afford, while the accompanying choral work, composed specifically for Shoreline, evokes the diverse emotions and stories of those connected to or travel upon the sea.

Choreographer and director: Simon Lewis Birch

Composer: Jon Hughes

Musical Director: Claire Ingleheart

Dancers: Emily Alden, Anthony Middleton, Polly Motley, Debbi Purtill, Alex Rowland, Isabel Slingerland, James Southward 

Producer: Antony Waller (Dance Republic 2)

Education Team: Sarah Waller, Alessandra Ausenda (visual art)

Dramaturg: Ruth Pethybridge