Come Skank Wid Eye

Northern Ballet Theatre youth group ‘Ignite’ is among over 70 Leeds residents aged 11 and upward that will come together for a spectacular dance theatre production based on the life and work of reggae musician Bob Marley, entitled ‘Come Skank Wid Eye’.

The show is directed and choreographed by David Hamilton, founding member of Phoenix Dance Theatre and Regeyshun Dance, in collaboration with Space @ Bracken Edge, and includes performances by Northern Ballet Theatre’s Ignite group as well as dance youth groups from Phoenix Dance Theatre and Northern School of Contemporary Dance. The production will be performed at West Yorkshire Playhouse on Saturday 19 November to live music provided by Drummie, DJ Lesley Colman and three commissioned tracks composed and recorded by Stella Ltras.

‘Come Skank Wid Eye’ explores Bob Marley’s unique style of dancing, better known as skanking, and his influence on Jamaican music, culture, history and politics. David has been running community dance classes in skanking since the Spring at Bracken Edge Primary School and is now running regular rehearsal sessions on Thursday evenings at the school which will continue after the performance on 19 November.

David said of the unique dance form: “ Reggae is the kind of dancing you see all the time in night clubs. On the surface it can appear very simple, but once you engage with it you find that there’s a lot more to it. I call it a groove with a circular motion and once you hit that groove anything can happen.”

NBT’s youth group ‘Ignite’ meets on a Wednesday evening during term-time from 6.30pm – 7.30pm and is for children aged 11 – 13. If you would like information on the youth dance group please contact the Learning and Access Department by emailing learningandaccess@northernballettheatre.co.uk or calling 0113 274 5355.