Moving, relatable regional dance theatre work set to go far
Sunshine Coast choreographer, Melissa Lanham has just finished work on Vincent, an extraordinarily moving dance theatre work about the life of Vincent Van Gogh and the mental illness he endured. Lanham is a contemporary dance theatre artist who has worked in the UK and Australia across social inclusion projects and main stream dance company productions (Bio included see next page). With a brilliant cast, this work by such an experienced hand punches above its weight. Small town Sunshine Coast productions rarely produce the sort of waves Lanham’s work is likely to make.
It is the first time in many years that a professional dance opportunity of this kind has been presented on the Sunshine Coast. “This is a very special achievement for this vibrant regional community, to have a professional dance work made locally. Not to mention the themes of this work being so important for everyone in our community. Depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder affect many in our community, and this work shows how people can do great things, despite these burdens,” said Ann McLean, head of Ausdance Queensland.
Lanham is not alone among her contemporaries in her admiration of him and his work. She said, “Vincent shows us what humans are capable of even under terrible mental suffering. His work is timeless and it touches millions of people.” Vincent focuses on the art and prose of Vincent Van Gogh and how he produced such extraordinary art in his time. Van Gogh had titanic, unappeasable passions which swept through his life inexorably culminating in artistic brilliance and unfortunate sadness.
Never fully at ease in company, he had a ravenous intellect and an addictive personality indicative of his bi-polar disorder. A genius who was unrecognized in his time, he wrote over 1000 letters to his brother Theo and painted over 900 paintings.
For the Vincent project, Lanham has engaged a lighting designer from Melbourne, and a set designer from Perth. Lanham is Artist in Residence at Lind Lane Theatre in Nambour for June 2014.
World Premiere performance season: 3 performances only. Friday June 27, 7.30pm and Saturday June 28 3pm & 7.30pm. All tickets $20, no concessions. Bookings at http://www.lindlane.com.au/watch .
Schools performance during production week, enquiries please email lissajane9@gmail.com
FOR MEDIA INTERVIEWS AND PHOTO OPORTUNITIES, CALL MELISSA LANHAM ON 0403 814 820……
Vincent is proudly supported by: Ausdance Queensland, Caloundra Regional Art Gallery, Headspace, Austin-Zande Imagery, DanceHub Magazine and Studio 2. Many thanks also to the team at Lind Lane Theatre, and to the community of Nambour. First development of Vincent was funded by the Queensland Government through the Regional Arts Development Fund and Arts Queensland.
Melissa Lanham Bio
Melissa Lanham
Melissa has had a long and diverse career in dance spanning over 25years. After training in R.A.D classical ballet, jazz and musical theatre. She started her career as a professional dancer working with some of Australia’s foremost contemporary choreographers and commercial artists. She danced with Darc Swan Dance Co, Kinetic Energy Dance, Double Vision, was a student dancer with Dance North and a soloist with Qld Young Dancers, as well as numerous independent projects for choreographers. She also worked in commercial dance as a backup dancer for Julie Anthony (Sydney Opera House), as a featured dancer for channel Nine productions with Karen Knowles, Sydney Opera Co. & The Seekers also a production for the Sydney Royal Easter show with Tommy Tycho (conductor) as well as numerous other commercials works.
She then moved into independent and community projects and after having received the Maroochy Shire Cultural Foundation Award in 2003 for dance, she moved to England with her family and worked for the British Arts Council (Danceeast) as a dance development Artist. Melissa had the opportunity to work with many of England’s innovative contemporary dance companies including Henri Oguike Dance and Bare Bones on their regional tours. Melissa also had the opportunity to be mentored by Walli Meir ( principal lecturer at the LABAN Centre} She also danced on and choreographed a ‘dance on film’ project, lead and facilitated projects in community and education and choreographed for youth dance companies.
Melissa has since taught and choreographed all over the world specialising in contemporary dance. She now lives on the Sunshine Coast with her family and works as a freelance dance teacher/choreographer.
She holds an Ass. Dip Creative Arts (Dance), Grad. Dip. Of Arts (Dance Therapy) R.A.D – Advanced
Why Vincent?
Some back story: originally, a successful youth dance work, Lanham’s “Vincent” then moved into the professional arena with a funded first stage development with three professional dancers five regionally based pre-professional dancers. The rehearsal period culminated in a performance and then going to larger funding and philanthropic bodies, in order to produce a complete work ready for touring and festivals.
Cast and crew list
Choreographer Melissa Lanham
Dancers Vincent – Andrew Haycroft
Theo – Michael Smith
Vincents Mind Chloe Lanham
Lighting Designer Travis McFarlane
Set Designer Daniel Ampuero
Dramaturg Peta Beattie
Costume Designer Clare Pallott
Makeup Artist Melanie Jeffers
Photography/Documentation Marc and Kristen Austin-Zande