- Duration: 70mins approx.
- Tickets: Standard: £12 | Pay more: £14 | Pay less: £10
- Company: Sona Lisa Dance Company
- Ages: 6+
- Details
- Parking & Access
Details
SLDC presents a spectacular evening of solo work by award winning Kathak dancer Sonia Chandaria Tillu that traverses the entire Kathak dance spectrum: from classical, neo-classical to contemporary dance. “Untagged” explores deeply-ingrained notions of identity, challenging us to break away from the labels attributed to us by society and ourselves.
The evening includes performances of:
Breaking Ground, an engaging solo that weaves together innovative Kathak dance, poetry and music to explore how we might unpack the emotional conflicts that arise from multicultural identity. Commissioned by Sampad, with support from Arts Council England and the British Council. Choreographed by Urja Desai Thakore, music composition by Shammi Pithia, dramaturgy by Lou Cope and lighting designed by Hector Murray.
Āgraha (meaning ‘insistence’ in Sanskrit): a brand new contemporary dance solo, with influences from kathak and flamenco. The work is inspired by the many identity contradictions that defined remarkable Indian freedom fighter Aruna Asaf Ali, described in her biography as a ‘compassionate radical’. Commissioned by Dance Hub Birmingham, this piece is choreographed by Jose Agudo, music composition by Bernhard Schimpelsberger, dramaturgy by Lou Cope and lighting designed by Hector Murray.
About the Company
Sona Lisa Dance Company is a Birmingham (England) based dance company set up by Artistic Director Sonia Chandaria Tillu in 2018. Our objective is to build a dance style and vocabulary that is based on one of the oldest classical Indian dance forms – Kathak, but speaks to contemporary audiences.
We celebrate the rhythmical and musical richness of Kathak, but also evolve it by challenging and extending the fabric of classical movements and choreographies. Our approach to dance is to be unique yet collaborative, rooted in the Kathak form yet inventive.
Our perspective is global, passionate and meaningful, and we bring this outlook to our dance, be it through performances, workshops or any other work. Sona Lisa performances typically impart a message or tell a story on current and significant themes.
Through our innovative approach, our intention is to develop new audiences that span generations, ethnicities and cultures. Our raison d’etre is to create and perform artistic endeavours that are reflective of and relevant in today’s world.
A note on ticket prices.
We ask our audiences to select the ticket price they pay based not on their age or education, but on what they can afford to spend.
– Standard: This is the regular ticket price.
– Pay more: For those who can afford to help us offer cheaper tickets to people who need them.
– Pay less: For those who can’t afford the standard price.
If you are disabled and would like to book a free companion/personal assistant ticket, please contact the box office: 01865 263990 or tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk
Parking & Access
Parking
There are a number of Blue Badge parking spaces nearby on Beaumont Street, and more on New Inn Hall Street and St Giles.
The closest car park is Gloucester Green Car Park, accessed via Gloucester Street.
If you have any questions or concerns, the City Council’s Access Officer can be reached at 01865 249811.
Getting here
We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint, but we need your help. Use ecoway, our sustainable travel planner, to see the most eco-friendly options for your journey to Old Fire Station, and plan a bespoke and flexible route. ecoway is easy to use and you’ll be kept up to date with any disruption or changes to your journey plan.
Car parks in Oxford Blue Badge information Public transport in OxfordAccess
Disabled patrons are eligible for one free companion ticket with their booking. To book this, contact the ticket office: tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or 01865 263990.
There are two entrances to the Old Fire Station: 40 George Street via the foyer, and on Gloucester Green via the shop. Both are step-free. If you are coming to a show, we ask that you use the George Street entrance, as the Gloucester Green entrance is not always open.
Events in the Theatre
There is level entry to the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the main Theatre (where most shows take place).
If you are a wheelchair user attending a sit-down show, space will be reserved for you. If you are attending a standing gig, please contact us (call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk) and we will talk with you about your needs.
Events in the Studio
There is level entry into the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the Studio.
Events in the Loft
There are six steps leading up to the Loft space, with no lift. If you would like to discuss this to find out more, please get in touch.
The Gallery
There is step-free access to the Gallery – level entry through the George Street entrance, and via lift from the Gloucester Green entrance.
Facilities
Accessible toilet
There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor, accessible via platform lift. Other toilets are in the basement (accessible via lift).
Hearing assistance system
The Theatre is equipped with a hearing assistance system. If you have any questions about using it, please e-mail us at tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or phone 01865 263980.
Assistance dogs
All types of assistance and guide dogs are welcome at the Old Fire Station. It would be great if you could let us know in advance if you will be bringing a working dog to any performances – just e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.
Strobe lighting
We will warn visitors on the website and in the foyer of the venue if a performance is going to contain strobe lighting. If lighting affects you, and you have any concerns, please call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.
Chairs in the theatre
Our chairs are a standard dining-chair size, measuring 40cm deep by 37cm wide, with a metal frame. Some have arms, and some do not. They are all joined together at the sides, to form rows. If this is likely to pose a problem for you, please email tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk and we can discuss how to make your visit more comfortable.