Following phenomenal international acclaim, BalletBoyz present their award-winning show Serpent / Fallen for the final time in London at the Roundhouse, with live music performed by BBC Concert Orchestra.

Audiences will also be treated to an excerpt from their much-anticipated new full-length work Young Men, featuring an original score composed and conducted by Keaton Henson. Run Riot speaks to choreographer Iván Pérez ahead of the debut.

RR: You've been working with BalletBoyz on the piece Young Men, part of a selection of work being shown at the Roundhouse. Could you explain how this project came about?
Iván Pérez: Young Men started in June 2013 with my first visit to BalletBoyz and a two week research period. The dancers and I connected instantly and the material that came out from this first period announced lots of potential. Michael and Billy were as excited as the dancers and myself to develop the project further than expected. It was then when the real process started.

RR: Young Men draws on a particularly poignant time with the 100th anniversary of WW1. Did you set out with any specific intentions in making this piece?
Iván Pérez: I am very interested in human behavior and emotional psychology and working on the theme of war, and especially focusing on the soldier's experience in Young Men, felt like such an interesting direction to me. The anniversary of WW1 invites us to look back and reflect on our history which I find inspiring and relevant.

RR: In Young Men you collaborate with a live musician during the performance, how do you feel live music differs in experience for both dancers and audience?
Iván Pérez: To have a live orchestra playing an original score is fascinating for both the dancers and the audience, it adds an extra layer of depth, risk and aliveness.

RR: You also made a film as part of the commission of work, what was your experience of working in another discipline?
Iván Pérez: I enjoy collaborations with professionals of other disciplines, I get to learn new perspectives and art forms. Working with Michael and Billy as film directors was very exciting, they know what they are doing.

RR: The Roundhouse is such an iconic and interesting space, how has it been planning for such a performance?
Iván Pérez: It has been very thrilling and exhilarating. I can't wait to be at the venue and see how the work responds to it.

RR: How has working with the BalletBoyz differed to other companies and what makes them stand out in their approach and their performance?
Iván Pérez: The BalletBoyz is a company that works with great enthusiasm and professionalism, their ambition to make good work makes them take good decisions. They aim to reach audiences and deliver high quality work and they definitely work for it. It has been a pleasure to be part of their team.

RR: What drives you to create and where do you draw your inspiration from?
Iván Pérez: I am interested in how a group of people can get together and make something that potentially may create an impact on other people. I am a highly social person and creating expands my interaction with the world I live in. It is there where my inspiration lays, in the live and human interaction.

RR: You have received numerous accolades - which awards have meant the most to you and why?

Iván Pérez: Awards are a kind of recognition that it is appreciated and definitely supports artists in pursuing their development, nevertheless, the work continues without them.

RR: What plans have you got for the remaining summer and rest of 2014?
Iván Pérez: Right after the shows at the Roundhouse I will travel to Barcelona for a holiday. In September I will be in Chicago stagging 'Flesh', a piece I created for NDT 2, at the River North Dance Chicago. And in November I will start working on my next full length production 'Exhausting Space' which I will be dancing in as well as creating. All very exciting projects to me.

You can see a preview excerpt of Young Men as part of an award winning evening of dance at the Roundhouse this Thursday 31 July and Friday 1 August. Info and tickets.

This event is part of
14-18 NOW
WW1 CENTENARY ART COMMISSIONS
1418now.org.uk

The much anticipated full length version will premiere at Sadler’s Wells in January 2015.