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The Spalding Suite

By Inua Ellams, Directed by Benji Reid. Produced by FUEL. A Contact and Southbank Centre commission.

A physical theatre show inspired by the UK’s basketball sub-culture.

Fresh poetry combined with contemporary movement celebrates the elegance and beauty of basketball. Seen from a British perspective, The Spalding Suite gets to the heart and soul of the gravity-defying game and delves into the hopes and dreams of those who play it.

Six dynamic performers mix live beatboxing, Hip-Hop, music, moves and poetry, taking us from the fleeting high of the score and the robust camaraderie of the team, to the poignant lows of a body too worn to play the game.

The production toured extensively nationally after opening at Contact.

    a multi-layered piece… performed by an engaging cast and boasting a terrific beat-boxing soundtrack. Fun and sometimes unexpectedly moving too.

    The Guardian

      a fresh combination of eloquently rhythmic spoken text and a stylised physicality that honours both competitive sports and street moves.

      The Times

      CREATIVE TEAM:

      Conceived by Inua Ellams.
      Directed by Benji Reid.
      Sound by Eric Lau / MC Zani.
      Design by Ti Green.

      Inspired by the poetry of Nick Makoha, Bohdan Piasecki, and Roger Robinson, with poems from Jacob Sam-La Rose and Nii Ayikwei Parkes.

      CREDITS:

      Produced by FUEL. Commissioned by Southbank Centre and Contact.
      Funded by Arts Council England and a Wellcome Trust Arts Award.

      NATIONAL TOURING DATES:

      MANCHESTER
      Contact
      23-25 April 2015

      LONDON
      Southbank Centre
      29 April – 2 May 2015

      BRIGHTON
      Brighton Festival
      5-6 May 2015

      BOURNEMOUTH
      Pavilion Dance
      9 May 2015

      STOCKTON
      Arc
      12 May 2015

      BIRMINGHAM
      DanceXchange
      14-16 May 2015

      IPSWICH
      Dance East
      29-30 May 2015

      LIVERPOOL
      Liverpool Everyman
      2-6 June 2015