Dance Consortium exists to tour the best contemporary dance from across the world to local audiences across the UK and Ireland.
The Consortium was formed by a group of UK Theatres in 2000 and is currently made up of 19 member theatres from all regions of the country as well as the Republic of Ireland. The Chief Executives of the Theatres are the members of the Consortium, they meet regularly throughout the year and appoint a Board of Directors, which also has independent members.
Working together, the theatres jointly choose the international companies they wish to invite to tour the UK and Ireland, they share the costs of each of the tours and use their collective knowledge and expertise to ensure that the artists achieve the highest level of presentation to enthusiastic audiences.
“In their 20 years, there is a rich archive. A treasure trove of experiences that dance-loving and dance-learning audiences have had thanks to Dance Consortium.”
Dance Consortium is proud to be included in the National Portfolio of arts organisation funded by Arts Council England.
In choosing which companies to tour Consortium members look for the highest quality of performance and a diversity of styles and cultural influences that are different from those normally seen on our UK stages. They consider which companies are likely to be most entertaining for audiences and which will appeal to the broadest possible audience.
Since 2000 we have organised 52 Tours by 28 different companies and have performed to over 800,000 people.
“We are really grateful to Dance Consortium for giving us the chance to share our artistry with many audiences in the UK”
The Consortium is always looking to introduce new audiences to contemporary dance. We have a far-reaching Learning and Engagement Programme and work with member venues to engage local and community groups through ‘wrap around’ activity for example Question and Answer sessions with the artists and participatory workshops. We support talent development amongst UK dance artists through a programme of live and online masterclasses and workshops and provide career development opportunities through our Future Leaders programme and the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.
“Working with Dance Consortium for me was really incredible because the level of professionalism and the support. It felt like a family.”
Previous Tours
You can find further information about these companies and their tours here.
In Autumn 2001 DC collaborated with Dance Umbrella to tour the Mark Morris Dance Group. Since then it has presented:
Acosta Danza (2020, 2022)
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (2005, 2007, 2010, 2016)
Ailey 2 (2011)
Australian Dance Theatre (2007)
Ballet BC (2018)
Batsheva Ensemble (2012)
Bill T Jones / Arnie Zane Dance Company (2004)
Breakin’ Convention (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet (2013)
Cirque Éloize (2011 and 2015)
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan (2008)
Compagnie Kafig (2005 and 2014)
Companhia de Dança Deborah Colker (2004, 2006, 2010)
Dada Masilo (2019, 2023)
Dance Theatre of Harlem (2004)
Danza Contemporanéa de Cuba (2010, 2012, 2017)
Grupo Corpo (2005 and 2014)
La La La Human Steps (2008)
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2022)
Mark Morris Dance Group (2009, 2019)
m¡longa, a Sadler’s Wells Production (2017)
Nederlands Dans Theater 1 (2008)
Nederlands Dans Theater 2 (2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2016, 2022)
Paul Taylor Dance Company (2003)
Stephen Petronio Company (2008)
Sutra, A Sadler’s Wells Production (2013)
The 7 Fingers (2021)
Members
Grand Opera House Belfast
Birmingham Hippodrome
Alhambra Theatre Bradford
Brighton Dome
Buxton Opera House
Marlowe Theatre Canterbury
Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff
Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin
Festival Theatre Edinburgh
Hull, New Theatre
Eden Court Theatre Inverness
Sadler’s Wells London
The Peacock, London
Milton Keynes Theatre
Theatre Royal Newcastle
Theatre Royal Norwich
Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall Nottingham with Dance 4
Theatre Royal Plymouth
The Lowry Salford
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
