A multi-modal immersive dance work-duet for small groups of children (age 3-6) and their parents/carers. Funded by The English and Norwegian Arts Councils, Rogaland Fylkeskommune and Stavanger Kommune and supported by University of Chichester, Swindon Dance and RAS, Norway ‘Curiouser’ premiered on 9 Feb 2019 at Sandes Kulturhus. Currently the work has 41 scheduled performances (12-Norway, 29-UK including Brighton Festival). Further international touring is expected following presentations at Surf The Wave/British Dance Showcase and the Norwegian National Showcase, Dansenshus, Oslo.

A Flexer & Sandiland and Dybwikdans co-production collaborators include Prof. Siri Dybwik, Composer Nils Fossdal, Digital Artist/researcher Nic Sandiland and Animator Pers Dybvik. ‘Curiouser’ incorporates film with elements of hand-drawn animation, live dance performance, sound, text and interactive digital objects. It housed in a custom built projection environment that immerses and surrounds the audience and can be contextually associated with work by Gandi and Venturini (Compagnia TPO) and Wilson, Sinclair & Marwick (2012). As can be inferred from its title ‘Curiouser’ has taken initial inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. While the work does not offer a literal interpretation it is interested in generating and pointing to curiosity, embodiment and “sensible attentiveness” (Dybwik & Halle 2018) as an imperative choreographic consideration in the creation of performances for children. The research follows a postdramatic theatre making approach (Fletcher 2016) prioritising process, embodiment, interaction and play over narrative development, enabling and inviting young audiences to participate and, to an extent, co-perform the work (Reason 2010). Following my previous research experience of creating work for immersive environments and family audiences (‘Shrink’d’ (2005), ‘Disappearing Acts’ (2016), ‘What If’ (2010) and ‘Sold’ (1998)), the research is also concerned with engendering and exploring physical proximity between children and adults, looking at how choreographed activities and interaction might play with and celebrate this intimate embodied space.