This autumn Sadler's Wells plays host to the 10th anniversary celebration of PARK by choreographer Jasmin Vardimon.

This highly anticipated re-work was the first of Vardimon’s large scale stage works. PARK explores six characters, whose stories intertwine creating a modern day fairytale that is alternately sharp, funny and cruel.

Artistic director, Jasmin Vardimon, founded her company in London in 1997, and has since become widely known for the accessible exposure of 'human experience, social relevance, high quality, passion, skill and commitment'. Considered by many as a leading force in British dance theatre, she's also an Associate Artist at Sadler's Wells.

PARK has captivated audiences with Vardimon's renowned and uniquely theatrical choreographic style of working. This re-work is sure to offer audiences a combination of electric physical theatre, as well as spectacular 3D imagining.

We caught up with Jasmin to ask about the importance of reworking PARK after 10 years, future projects, and being Associate Artist at Sadler's Wells.

Run- Riot: What do you most enjoy about performing at Sadler's Wells and how does the venue support your work?
Jasmin: We have a fantastic audience at Sadler's Wells. Many of whom have been following my work over the years and stayed our core supportive audience and there many who are always new to our work. It always feel a bit like home, which is a good feeling.

Sadler’s Wells under the direction of Alistair Spalding has been very supportive in commissioning and presenting all of my works since when I firstly presented PARK and then became an associate artist there in 2006.

I’ve also worked closely with their education department on many projects, most recently as the first guest artistic director of the National Youth Dance Company.

Run-Riot: Your piece PARK has been re-worked 10 years since its original showing - why now?
Jasmin: PARK stayed in the minds of our previous audience members after we first staged it and we've frequently been asked when will we perform it again.

I decided to bring it back into the company's touring repertoire as I found the subject matters explored in the piece even more relevant and current today than it was when I created it, 10 years ago.

It has been a pleasure to revisit these ideas and moments with the wisdom of distance and time. The cast is new and working with them gave me a chance to take a fresh look at the piece and this has been exciting.

Run-Riot: How does the process differ when re-working a piece?
Jasmin: When reworking a piece, I enjoy revisiting the core ideas with the new cast. Recreating their characters with the qualities, understanding and talent each performer brings. I’m always interested in exploring new ways of communicating the story to the audience, through audio, visual, conceptual and while using different medias. So the piece remains the same, but the story of this PARK is told in a new way. When I work with performers, I try to connect to their inner selves, to their psychology. I never actually ask them to copy a movement or to do something that isn’t natural to them. They really need to touch that emotion, that feeling, to express it in their own true individual interpretation.

Run-Riot: Since its original production what key themes did you decide to work with and why?
Jasmin: Most of the themes have stayed the same, as I found them as current and relevant today as they were then, but the emphasis is slightly different.

Through the proposition to sell a public space - the PARK into a private owned entity, there are the subjects of ownership and politics of the public land that rising. But the main subjects that presented through this microcosm of society are of belonging and foreignness, land ownership and homelessness, freedom of expression and political hypocrisy and many more that come through human interaction.

Run-Riot: You are renowned for your uniquely theatrical choreographic style, what new challenges and/or creative opportunities did working with 3D imaging give to the choreographic process and also the final piece?
Jasmin: The 3D imaging is just another layer in the production. Another tool to portray the story of that PARK.

When creating, I’m always interested in producing a multi layered product that communicate through different channels: audio, visual, conceptual and emotional, so there are many layers - some more subtle than others, but all contribute to the complicity of the whole.

Run-Riot: Your company tours nationally and internationally performing at high profile theatres across the world – do the audience reactions differ greatly from place to place, and if so what impact does that have on your work?
Jasmin: I mainly see the different reactions in the sense of humour audiences have and the freedom to express themselves during performances. In some places audiences are laughing out loud all the way through the performances, whereas in others there is a content silence with more controlled giggles.

Run-Riot: Your company has had an extremely successful year with securing funding, winning awards and  touring – what has been a highlight for you? Finally, what plans have you following on from your tour of PARK?
Jasmin: It has been a very rewarding year, with many heartening acknowledgements. Each a highlight in its own way.

We just announced our future collaborative project with Turner Contemporary, supported by the exceptional award of Arts Council England.

I will be collaborating with designer and architect Ron Arad and Installation Artist Guy Bar-Amotz to create an architectural maze which will host an intimate and immersive performance with 22 performers.

I’m excited to create a project that will allow audiences to experience my work at an extremely close and intimate proximity. This will be an experience that is similar to being on stage with the dancers and face to face with the art-work itself. The adventure each visitor will have will be dictated by the individual path they might choose within the architectural structure.

Jasmin Vardimon Company
Park
10 & 11 November
Sadler’s Wells
Info & tickets: sadlerswells.com
More on the company jasminvardimon.com

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