River Stage Weekend

The National Theatre’s River Stage is a free outdoor festival on London’s South Bank every weekend in August presenting a summer of vibrant dance, workshops, theatre, DJs, family fun, outdoor cinema, and the very best live music acts.

Rambert takes over the River Stage for a weekend of performances by our dancers, associate artists and musicians, plus special performances from our youth and older dancer groups. There are also open classes and workshops for all ages.

All events are free – no need to book, just turn up.

Programme of Events

Full details for all River Stage weekends can be found on the National Theatre’s website

Friday 18 August

Music from A Linha Curva

7.15pm – 7.40pm

Devised in São Paulo to celebrate Brazilian culture, A Linha Curva sees four percussionists share over 50 instruments. Rambert musicians have been touring it around the UK to evoke samba, capoeira, and the sound of the beach at night.

Quicksilver

8pm – 8.15pm

Quicksilver is Rambert’s company for dancers aged 15 – 19. Led by Laura Harvey, the company is named after the Mercury Theatre (Rambert’s original home in the1920s) and the nickname of the company’s founder, Marie Rambert.

New Creation – Patricia Okenwa

8.30pm – 8.45pm

An extract of a work-in-progress from up-and-coming choreographer and former Rambert dancer Patricia Okenwa. The piece for two dancers is an exploration of motherhood, inspired by the Stabat Mater.

Collapse – New Movement Collective

9pm – 9.15pm

Rambert associate company New Movement Collective present excerpts from Collapse, a period drama first seen in 2016 at the Southbank Centre and created in collaboration with 3D laser artists ScanLAB Projects, with music by composer and cellist Oliver Coates. This highly physical work celebrates the imperfect in today’s technology, probing the complexities of time, group memory and the cyclical nature of societal evolution.

Tempus – Simone Damberg Wurtz

9.45pm – 10pm

Rambert dancer Simone Damberg Würtz created Tempus as a duet for male dancers to the accompaniment of Game On, a score by former Rambert music fellow Cheryl Frances-Hoad for live piano and a Commodore 64 computer from the 1980s.

Saturday 19 August

Yoga Class

12pm – 12.45pm

Suitable for people wanting to increase strength, flexibility and stamina, this class is based in the Vinyasa flow style of Hatha yoga. Postures are sequenced together to create a fluid moving meditation.

Contemporary Dance Workshop

1pm – 2pm

This class will introduce people to Rambert’s distinctive contemporary dance technique and movement. No previous experience required – all you need is enthusiasm!

Family Workshop

2.30pm – 3.15pm

Designed to let children’s imaginations run wild through games, play and dance, this workshop is inspired by A Linha Curva and introduces very young children (5 and under) to dance and movement with their parents or carers.

Children’s Workshop

3.15pm – 4pm

A fun, high-energy workshop offering a fantastic introduction to contemporary dance. Children aged 6-12 of all abilities can explore different ways of moving and learn steps from Christopher Bruce’s Rooster, a swinging celebration of the Rolling Stones.

Ghost Dances Workshop

4.15pm – 5.15pm

Learn the iconic moves from Rambert’s most famous work, Christopher Bruce’s Ghost Dances. Taught by people who have danced the work, it is a chance for people of all abilities to inhabit this timeless evocation of South American culture.

Ghost Dances Music

7pm – 7.30pm

Ghost Dances is Rambert’s celebrated work inspired by the plight of Chilean political prisoners in the 1970s. The atmospheric folk music, incredibly evocative of the Andes, is performed by Chilean singer Claudia Figueroa and musicians on pan-pipes, quena and guitars.

Doublespeak – Daniel Davidson

8pm – 8.15pm

Doublespeak is a work created by Rambert dancer Daniel Davidson, inspired by the paintings of Odd Nerdrum and Mark Rothko, and the music of Nico Muhly. This abstract work evokes ideas of hunting, defending and evolution

Solo Matter – Carolyn Bolton / Anna Appleby / Mbulelo Ndabeni

8.45pm – 9pm

A first performance of a work-in-progress collaboration between Rambert’s music fellow, Manchester-based composer Anna Appleby, Rambert dancer Carolyn Bolton and Creator of N’da Dance Company Mbulelo Ndabeni. The piece is a solo work danced by Ndabeni which explores the seeds of chaos and tackles the madness created during conflict.

Alexander Whitley – Ulysses Awakes

9.30 – 9.45pm

A solo for a male dancer created by Rambert associate Alexander Whitley to music by John Woolrich. Alexander is a former Rambert dancer who has created works for Rambert, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Ballet Boyz, and whose company makes its debut at Sadler’s Wells in June 2017.

Music from Nia Lynn

10pm – 10.30pm

Jazz singer Nia Lynn tours with Rambert this autumn, in a new piece choreographed by Ben Duke inspired by the music and spirit of Nina Simone. This set gives a sneak preview of the new work, performed with pianist Yshani Perinpanayagam and drummer Rob Millett.

Sunday 20 August

Yoga Class

12pm – 12.45pm

Over 60s Workshop

12.45pm – 1.45pm

Whether you have tried dance before or this is your first time, this workshop is a fun way to engage with the work of Rambert. The workshop includes a gentle warm-up followed by a chance to learn moves from Rambert’s repertoire.

R Quintessence and Mercury Movers

2.45pm – 3.15pm

R Quintessence and the Mercury Movers are dance groups for older adults in London. They meet for regular classes and workshops, and create performance works. They’re sharing at the River Stage works they have been inspired to create.

A Linha Curva Workshop

3.15pm – 4.15pm

This workshop is a great chance to learn some moves from Rambert’s party piece A Linha Curva: a riotous explosion of colourful, samba-fuelled dance! No previous dance experience required.

Quicksilver

4.30pm – 5pm