Welcome to CH4PTER... Please select a link to read information: About us Work News Biographies Contact us
	About us Ch4pter began in 1999 with the intention to expand and enhance the parameters of dance performance work generated in the North West. They are a project based company whose objectives are to: • Challenge and develop their performance and choreographic skills through dance commissions with other established artists • Develop further training provision for artists in the region and beyond • Tour regionally, nationally and internationally by developing links with other dance agencies, organisations, companies and artists • Contribute to the further development of dance culture in the North West. Ch4pter have enjoyed an ongoing relationship with Bluecoat Arts Centre, Merseyside Dance Intiative, Dance North West, Hope Unviersity, Liverpool Improv Collective and artistic collaborations with Andrew Deakin, Sound artist/Cumbria, Rosemary Lee, Choreographer/London, Sianed, Musician Vocalist/Bristol, Mandie Dyke, Designer/Swindon, Marie Fitzpatrick, Dance Artist/Nottingham, Gill Clarke, Dance artist/ London. return to top of page Work Beached Three tidal women, watching, wading, combing. They eye each other with questioning glances waiting for one to scuttle, another to bound across the space. Something ages old binds these women together, makes them dependent upon each others next move but they seem strangely solitary in their thoughts. Beach combers, spinsters, spurned lovers... or crabs and red shanks? Following C4’s successful bid for the Dance Northwest Open Commission, they worked through May, June and September to further develop Beached with collaborator Rosemary Lee. The Autumn/Winter O5/06 tour was co-ordinated by Dance Northwest and saw Ch4pter performing at the Lowry Studio, Salford, Brindley Theatre, Runcorn, Nuffield Theatre, Lancaster and Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal. Extra to this Ch4pter were invited to perform Beached at Hope University’s Cornerstone Festival in December 05 and at Greenwich Dance Agency in March 06 – all a great success and very well received. Ch4pter invited Rosie to work with them in 2001, offering a period of research that enabled them to have the luxury of not creating a finished work but rather time to play, experiment and also investigate the creative process of collaboration. A first draft of ‘Beached’ was shaped to be shown a couple of times at the end of the research period. Since then they have been hoping for the opportunity to revisit this fledgling work and see it into maturity and shape it accordingly. We are interested in taking the work into a second phase to look at: • How performance brings out new information and knowledge about the work • How work can be created that can endure a longer life span and be explored through various phases • How ideas emerge, disappear or are sustained • How the world of dance becomes so strong that one starts abiding by its rules • How our differences as three dancers can be capitalised upon • How to challenge and stimulate ourselves as experienced, intelligent dancers. • How the deep collaborative process deepens as we work together and the work matures • How after a rich period of research a work can become multi layered and richer as a result • Autumn 2006 will see the publication of Rosemary Lee’s book of the project – watch this space! Gallery An interactive sensory journey, through which the audience travels. Following the success of Gallery at the Bluecoat Arts Centre in June and November 2004 Ch4pter are keen to investigate the possibilities of selling residencies in different venues to pursue and develop the lines of research begun at the Bluecoats Arts Centre. Current Projects and Plans Summer 2006 sees the company hosting a four week 'rummage' in Liverpool (with the support of ACE, MDI and Hope University) Background and Overview: Successful collaboration is becoming central to the development of Ch4pter’s work. C4 would like to invest in the continued development of working relationships with past and potential collaborators from across different art forms and across the country. ‘Rummage’ involves a tour of 4 one week open research explorations’. Working with collaborator’s that C4 have previously worked with and would like to further develop their work with. C4 will spend each week of studio time developing questions, problems, possibilities and avenues of pursuit. Elements of this project are open to other local artists, funders, general public to come to meet Ch4pter and engage with the debate through participation and conversation. The culmination will be a ideas for Ch4pter's next project. return to top of page News To keep up to date with Ch4pter please download our latest newsletter. If you would like to be added to our email list then please send an email to info@chapter4.co.uk with your contact details. Autumn/Winter 05/06 Newsletter (PDF) Autumn/Winter 05/06 (Word Doc) return to top of page Biographies Ruth Spencer is a dance maker, performer and facilitator working throughout the UK and abroad. She graduated from London College of Dance and Drama in 1988 and as an experienced dance artist has worked with a number of companies including Ludus Dance Company, Yolande Snaith Theatredance, English National Ballet (dance officer) and Chapter 4 as well as developing her own independent projects. Ruth delivers training for community and education professionals in partnership with national/regional dance agencies and local authorities. Andrea Buckley lives in the UK were she works as a freelance dance artist. During the last 16 years she has been extensively performing, teaching, making dances and working with diverse community groups in various contexts. Improvisation and contact work has been the main source of inspiration and after a 3 year Diploma course at the Laban Centre, London she went on to work with independent choreographers and companies on a project basis. To include Sue MacLennan, Rosemary Lee, Gregory Nash, Gill Clarke and Siobhan Davies Dance Company. Through further study and research Andrea has travelled abroad to specialise within the improvisation and contact field. Her work with Kirstie Simson and Nancy Stark Smith continues to explore the work in performance. She is involved in collaborating with other like minded artists, presenting projects with CH4PTER and Liverpool Improvisation Collective as well as initiating her own projects. Currently Andrea is researching a new solo performance piece with video artist Danny Williams and is a visiting lecturer at Hope University, Liverpool. Paula Hampson has worked since 1989 as an independent dance performer, teacher and choreographer. She has worked nationally and internationally in collaboration with other artists and dance companies, including Julyen Hamilton and Yolande Snaith Theatre Dance. She has studied in Europe and North America, developing skills in Improvisation, Contact Improvisation and Action theatre, which continues to underpin her research as a practicing artist. Paula Hampson has worked since 1989 as an independent dance performer, teacher and choreographer. She has worked nationally and internationally in collaboration with other artists and dance companies, including Julyen Hamilton and Yolande Snaith Theatre Dance. She has studied in Europe and North America, developing skills in Improvisation, Contact Improvisation and Action theatre, which continues to underpin her research as a practicing artist. return to top of page Contact us For bookings and general information contact Deborah Wintle on 0151 708 8858 Email: info@chapter4.co.uk CH4PTER John Archer Hall 68 Upper Hill Street Liverpool L8 1YR To contact artists direct please email... Paula Hampson: hampsonpaula@tiscali.co.uk  Andrea Buckley: andrea.buckley@dsl.pipex.com Ruth Spencer: ruth_spencer@tinyworld.co.uk return to top of page