Performing arts

Acclaimed Italian theatre director Pippo Delbono opens his "theatrical ode to joy, surprise and enchantment", La Gioia, at Hong Kong Arts Festival on 22–23 March 2019.

La Gioia highlights the consequences of living without understanding. It brings anguish and ecstasy to the stage, accompanied by paper boats, flamenco dance, flowers by the thousand and a circus parade.

Delbono is described as one of Europe's most distinctive artistic voices, in the firmament of Pasolini, Beckett, Bausch and Kantor.

Manchester International Festival, taking place 4–21 July 2019, has brought together a lineup of artists from 20 countries for UK and world premiers including Yoko Ono, David Lynch, a collaboration between Idris Elba and Kwame Kwei-Armah, and a rave history tour by grime superstar Skepta among many others.

Highlights of the full lineup include:

New Adventures is delighted to announce the return of Matthew Bourne’s double Olivier award-winning, smash hit production of THE RED SHOES.

The national tour of THE RED SHOES opens on Monday 18 November at Theatre Royal Plymouth and runs until Saturday 23 November, before visiting The Lowry, Salford, from Tuesday 26 November to Saturday 30 November; ahead of a seven-week Christmas season at Sadler’s Wells, London, from Tuesday 3 December to Sunday 19 January 2020. Further tour dates for 2020 and casting will be announced shortly.

Innovative Sheffield Project will give free event tickets to thousands

There's a story almost every every month about the creation and preservation of creative spaces, inspiring design and new homes for arts and culture across sectors.

In March 2019, the English National Ballet will move to a new home on London City Island in Canning Town. We'll have more on this forward-thinking and innovative space next month, but it is just one example of creative and cultural organisations requiring, finding and securing new space.

The three-year Surf the Wave project, run by Pavilion Dance South West, has announced the artists participating in its UK Dance Showcase, a culmination of the first 18 months of the programme. The event takes place on 16–19 May 2019.

The showcase is targeting programmers who are interested in presenting dance in unusual cultural spaces, whether thats in art galleries and museums, as well as at festivals or venues.

British Council is looking to build connections between the UK creative sector and young artists in Sub-Saharan Africa.

British Council is actively seeking expressions of interest for Art Connects Us from UK-based organisations, curators and programmers in these fields:

• architecture
• dance
• design
• fashion
• film
• literature
• theatre
• visual arts

Expressions of interest will be accepted until 10 March 2019.

The Creative Land Trust has been launched, supported by the Mayor of London, Arts Council England, Bloomberg Philanthropies and Outset Contemporary Art Fund. It aims to secure long-term and affordable space for artists and creative people in London.

This innovative new organisation seeks to secure land and building space while keepong affordable rent rates by:

1. Purchase of freehold properties or long leases

2. Receipt of properties gifted or transferred by public or private partners

3. Purchase of buildings with a studio provider

My show, How Eva von Schnippish won World War II is raucous blend of music, dance, comedy and high-octane full-on silliness. A real fun night out that I'm bringing to the Vault Festival from Wed 6 to Sun 10 March. 

The UK Government's annual presence at SXSW begins on Friday 8 March with the UK Advertising and Interactive Mission Reception at the British Music Embassy. The reception will include a live performance by blues, folk and indie duo Ferris & Sylvester and synth-led electro-pop band FEMME.