Cutting edge dance hits the Everyman (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cutting edge dance hits the Everyman

AN acclaimed new dance work from one of Britain's leading contemporary choreographers is coming to Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre for one night only, on Wednesday, May 8.

The Cholmondeleys and The Featherstonehaughs (pronounced The Chumleys and The Fanshaws), have united again with their long-term music collaborators, The Victims of Death, to stage "3."

Directed and choreographed by one of The Cholmondeleys' founder members, Lea Anderson, "3" is composed of three distinct pieces, which can be seen as individual works, and also as parts of a whole.

Titled In the Realms of the Unreal, Black Rose Mandala and Limbo, the three works are linked by a powerful score, played live by Steve Blake and Billy Sturgeoner on a variety of instruments including guitar, fiddle, keyboard and percussion - with some samples added to the mix.

The result is a creative and spellbinding show with wacky yet tightly choreographed dance.

The all-female The Cholmondeleys were formed in 1984, and were named after an anonymous 17th century painting in the Tate Gallery, named The Cholmondeley Sisters.

The all-male The Featherstonehaughs were founded in 1988, with their name taken from a book on the pronunciation of old English family titles and place names.

The two groups often perform together, with an innovative and individual style.

They have won many awards and staged 18 productions, one of which was Smithereens which came to the Everyman in May 2000.

Tickets from the box office on 01242 572573 or www.everymantheatre.org.uk