SICK
‘S I C K’ follows one man’s struggle against depression. Told through contemporary & street dance influences and a slick use of props, this new work will take you on an emotional journey.
A ground breaking dance theatre production, draws inspiration from the tragic loss of a young man who couldn't be saved. In this transformative story, we reimagine a different ending, where we have the power to save him. This innovative production delves deep into the human experience, unearthing raw emotions and evoking profound contemplation. S I C K takes audiences on an immersive journey, delving into one man's struggle with depression. With its powerful choreography, captivating visuals, and gripping storytelling, this extraordinary production prompts reflection on mental health complexities and celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. Prepare to be moved, as S I C K leaves an indelible mark on hearts and minds, igniting meaningful conversations and inspiring hope.
08/11/21: S I C K Phase 3
With support from The Arts Council England. In this 3rd phase we are collaborating with https://scissorkick.co.uk & 3D Designs to produce a full show. We are working towards bringing the work to theatres in and around the UK.
09/04/21: S I C K Phase 2
In January 2021 just after the government’s announcement of it’s third lockdown, Taira Foo Dance Co went into its 2nd phase of R&D for S I C K. This phase was funded by the Arts Council England & you can watch its findings on the dates below.
21st of April: S I C K
The Making of S I C K documentary to be released via One Dance UK platform & Taira Foo Dance Co social media platforms.
22nd April: S I C K Film
Premier of S I C K filmed performance Co-streaming with One Dance UK 7pm. During this time we also provided outreach programmes for the charities below:
Mind mental health charity/Friends in Need - www.bucksmind.org.uk
Studio Upstairs - www.studioupstairs.org.uk
Inside Out Community - www.insideoutcommunity.com
28/01/21: Funding
Taira has been successful in securing funding from the Arts council England to take S I C K to its next stage.
This will enable the company to create a standalone production by developing music and story.
On 30th of January 2021 a live performance will take place, it will also be live streamed in case COVID restricts audiences from attending.
A backstage documentary will be made during the project by award winning filmmaker Liam Hall. This will include rehearsals, interviews with cast and creatives and inspiration behind the work.
LATEST NEWS
CREATIVES
TAIRA FOO
Choreographer
She worked as a professional dancer for over 10 years, credits include original cast of ‘We Will Rock You’, The Royal variety Show, Queens Jubilee, Party in the park, working with artists such as Snow Patrol, Brian May, Roger Taylor , Vinnie Jones, Phil Collins, Will Young, Ben Elton & Arlene Philips.
In 2011 Taira founded Taira Foo Dance Co, the company have created three critically praised half-hour showcase works recently - both playing as part of The Place Resolution! festival. The first entitled “The Soloist". The second was an adaptation of the Academy Award winning “Rain Man" & the third ‘Flowers in December’ written by Taira, a piece inspired by the Refugee’s of Syria.
JOSHUA PACEY
Composer
Joshua was born in England in 1995 to British and American parents. At the age of seven he became a chorister at Winchester Cathedral, where he developed an appreciation for choral music and its composition.
He attended Cambridge University and studied Music at Clare College from 2013-16, where he also sang in the world-renowned Choir of Clare College. He then studied for a Masters in Composition for Screen at the Royal College of Music, where he was the John Barry Scholar, and is now a freelance Composer for Film and a singer.
He enjoys a busy schedule of composition for short films, choral music, advertising, and other media, is a composer of library music for Universal Production Music UK and EMI Production Music, and also assists the composer Rupert Gregson-Williams.
LIAM HALL
Film Maker
Liam Hall is a freelance director with over thirty years experience in the film industry.
His career has spanned commercials, music video, broadcast documentary and high-end corporate.
Today, he works as a self-shooting director on a broad range of productions, all over the world, often in difficult and hostile environments.
He’s filmed in over a hundred countries and his work has won leading industry awards in Europe and America.
Liam uses the latest cinema camera and editing technology to his craft stories with creative flair for audiences at home and abroad.
CAST
HAYLEY CHILVERS
Assistant Choreographer/Wife
Hayley graduated from Italia Conti, where she studied musical theatre. In the years that followed she went on to discover the world of contemporary dance and physical theatre and found her place in the industry. Hayley has extensive experience as a freelance dancer for physical theatre, dance and opera companies including Opera North and The Royal Opera House. Hayley has taken on the role of rehearsal director for a couple of the companies she has worked closely with and has been involved in the creation process and research and development of new work including The Natasha’s Project for On Demand.
Hayley has also started working as a Movement director with credits such as LIT at The Nottingham Playhouse and working with CleanBreak and their young artists on their production of Inside This Box.
ALEX MURRAY
The Intruder
Alex has been working professionally in the industry for 8+ years. Armed with his BA Hons in dance (accredited by the Creative Academy in Slough), his recent performance credits include a Singer/Dancer for Celebrity Cruises and Potters Theatre Company. He most recently starred in Alfred Taylor Gaunt’s dance theatre production of Derrière On A G String at Sadler’s Wells and Hinged Dance Company’s first adaptation of
SICK, performed at The Place.
Alex is currently teaching all 4 years on Creative Academy Foundation and Degree Course.
GERRY ENNEW
Struggling Man
Gerry started his training at Bodywork Company in Cambridge before leaving to train at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance.
Since leaving Rambert he has worked with Chrysalis London Dance Co where he flourished as Assistant Director and Hinged Dance Co where he debuted a role in "Prisoner 466", most recently he played the leading role "The Struggling Man" in Hinged Dance Co's "SICK".
During his career he has worked as a dancer, choreographer and movement director for artists but his main focus has been on company work.
JACK WILLIAM PARRY
Founder of ROUGEDMILK
Jack’s professional credits include Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake national & international tour (UK, Ireland, Japan, China, South Korea, LA, Washington DC & New York [2018-20]); Akram Khan’s ‘The Rashomon Effect’ Sadler’s Wells & national tour (2014); Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s ‘Frame[d]’ Sadler’s Wells, national tour/ Latitude Festival Riverstage (2015); Ali Curtis Jones’ ‘Drumstick’, Switzerland (2017); Hinged Dance Company (2018-20) & main stage dancer/ street theatre at Alton Towers Scarefest (2020). Cinema & TV credits include Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake & choreography team for Robert Eggers ‘The Northman’ (2020). Jack also runs his own business as a makeup artist & photographer, specialising in conceptual & editorial art.
VASILIKI PAPAPOSTOLOU
Vasiliki Papapostolou is a dance artist and a member of the International Dance Council UNESCO. She gained a BA from Trinity Laban and was trained with KCDC in Israel. In September 2020, she started her MA in Education at King’s College London. In February 2020, Vasiliki presented her first complete solo choreographic work “Free Is The Possessed”, as part of Resolution at The Place, London. In October 2019, she joined Edifice Dance Theatre and in January 2020, she became a member of Hinged Dance Company. In March 2019 she was invited to be a judge at Percorsi Coreografici in Italy.
GEORGIA THOMPSON
Georgia Rose Thompson is a London Based performance artist. After living in Los Angeles for three years, studying at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she returned to London to pursue dance training at Creative Academy. Georgia is currently studying for her MA in Dance, allowing her exploration and curiosity to drive the development of her company ‘GRITT Dance co’.
As with all artists, she hopes that the current climate brings about the realisation that The Arts, are in fact integral to our society; and it is works like ‘SICK’ that feed her passion for creation.
KATHERINE HAYHOE
Katherine has recently graduated with a BA Honours in Dance at Creative Academy, where she is currently continuing her training to gain a MA in Dance. Katherine has performed at large dance conventions including, Move It and Can You Dance, as well as being a member of both Sea Ch8nge Dance Company and GRITT Dance Company. In February, Katherine made her debut as a professional dancer, with Hinged Dance Co's "SICK" and she can't wait to progress her professional development further, by working with the company again. Pushing herself to become a versatile performer, Katherine is also performing in her first professional pantomime over Christmas.
BETHANY MITCHELL
Bethany began her training at a young age and has since trained in various styles; later finding her passion for contemporary movement. She is currently studying for her MA in Dance, at Creative Academy, where she previously trained, completing a degree in Dance.
During her training Bethany has performed at "Can you Dance" in Liverpool as well as obtaining one of the leading roles in Creative Academy's "Psycho" performance in January. She most recently made her debut as a professional dance in Hinged Dance Co's "SICK" and is extremely excited to work with the company again.
Bethany aspires to take her training and career abroad and continue to develop herself as a dance artist.
PRODUCTION MENTAL
HEALTH ADVISOR
TERRY HYDE MA MBACP
Psychotherapist/Counsellor
Terry started dancing at age 6, joining the Royal Ballet age 18. He joined London’s Festival Ballet (now ENB) as a soloist and performed in West End musicals, Film and TV.
Terry attained an MA in Psychotherapy validated by Middlesex University in 2012 and in 2017 set up the website www.counsellingfordancers.com, specifically to address the mental health needs of dancers.
Terry is in a unique position to understand the mental health needs of dancers and uses that, not only in his one to one therapy sessions, but also in his proactive Mental Health Self-Care Workshops.