Strict rules, extreme conditions and ferocious competition. The Dance Marathons of Depression-era America were the reality shows of their day. Attracting huge audiences, they could last for weeks, with competitors stopping for only 10 minutes every 2 hours to change their clothes or sleep, and eating while they danced. 10 dancers, two actors and a six-piece jazz ensemble bring this drama to life to a soundtrack of songs from the 1930s, performed by soprano Nadine Livingston. Directed by Company Chordelia Artistic Director Kally Lloyd-Jones and David Higham leads the band.
CREATED & DIRECTED by Kally Lloyd-Jones
CHOREOGRAPHED by Kally Lloyd-Jones in collaboration with the cast
MUSIC DIRECTOR 2014 TOUR David Higham
ORIGINAL MUSIC DIRECTOR & ARRANGEMENTS by Kennedy Aitchison
DESIGNER Janis Hart
LIGHTING DESIGN 2014 TOUR Laura Hawkins
ORIGINAL LIGHTING 2013 Grahame Gardner
STAGE MANAGERS: Susan Scott, Gillian Richards
CAST
Anna Fontaine (singer): Nadine Livingston
Hal Johnson (MC): Harry Ward
Nurse Martha: Nicole Owens
DANCERS 2014 Tour
Molly: Katie Armstrong
Allan: Peter Baldwin
Joe: Brian Bremner
Bill: Darren Brownlie
Rose: Beverly Grant
Eleanor: Tara Hodgson
Muriel-Jane: Steinvor Palsson
Mary: Kally Lloyd-Jones (original cast Kirsty Pollock)
Arlen: Michael Sherin
Eugene: Vince Virr (original cast Jack Webb)
Jazz ensemble led by DAVID HIGHAM
MUSICIANS: Brian Shiels, John Goldie, John Burgess, Tom MacNiven, James Gorman
PRESS
“The Company Chordelia cast are truly remarkable“
* * * * * The Herald
“a beautifully wrought landscape of public humiliations and private griefs that reach beyond our entertainment to a cruel reality that is maybe not so bygone as we would like to think”
“acting and dancing with a fierce integrity that truly honours those long ago contenders”
* * * * * The Herald
“It’s a testament to both the dancers, and choreographer Kally Lloyd Jones, that we believe in the contestants’ exhaustion as they dance round and round the stage endlessly – yet never tire of it ourselves.”
* * * * The Scotsman
“an intelligent, touching show”
* * * * The Independent
