Month: May 2017

Holding On

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Holding On is a live and digital performance programme co-created and performed by people with lived experience of cancer, grief, loss and bereavement. Described by audiences as “opening up difficult conversations in a softer way”, the choreography emerges directly from their stories, blending crafted movement, improvisation scores, spoken text and relational tasks to create a work that is both artistically rigorous and emotionally resonant

Booking Options

Holding On offers a flexible programme made up of several strands which can be booked individually, though we recommend combining them to create a bespoke engagement package. The programme includes two co‑devised short films, a recording of the live performance and the live work itself – which can be presented as the full piece or adapted into shorter experiences such as solos, duets or trios.

Booking options consists of:

  • Live performance
  • Screening of the live performance film
  • Pop-up solos, duos and trios
  • Screenings of two short films
  • Q&A with the creators, devisors and performers
  • Facilitated discussions
  • Creative workshops
  • Rachael Lines, FRONTLINEdance Artistic Director and CEO, can present the work or appear as a guest speaker, tailoring it to you. For example, presenting why/how it was made and/or our approaches to working around sensitive subjects.
  • A residency recreating the show with your own cast (community, intergenerational and professional artists)

The piece supports participants and audiences to encounter creation and performance shaped by lived experience within a safe, held and supportive space.

We’ve designed Holding On so it can tour easily and be adapted to each venue. This means we can perform in a wide range of indoor settings, though the work is not suitable for outdoor environments.

Holding On 1 Screen Dance Trailer

Holding On 2 Screen Dance Trailer

Bookings Open:

  • Live Shows: Available bookings from September 2026 – December 2028
  • Residency: Limited bookings available from October 2026 – December 2028
  • Short films Holding on (1): Available from August 2026 – December 2028
  • Holding On (2) Screendance: Available bookings from August 2026 – December 2028
  • Workshops: Available bookings from September 2026 – December 2028
  • Pop Up Solos and Duets: Available bookings from September 2026 – December 2028

Accessibility

FRONTLINEdance is committed to accessible practice for d/DEAF, disabled and neurodivergent people. Our offer includes BSL interpretation, relaxed performances, touch tours, opportunities to meet the performers in advance, and an easy-read visual story. We work with each venue to ensure accessible practice is embedded at every stage – pre‑visit, delivery, communication, marketing and evaluation. We can provide access training to support your team and build confidence in inclusive practice. In most cases, this training can be offered free of charge when booking Holding On.

Book a Conversation with Us

We’d be very happy to discuss programming options or explore how Holding On could sit within your programme. To set up an informal conversation or to book, please email Melanie at: touring@frontlinedance.co.uk  For further information: Tour Pack

HAPPENCHANCE

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HAPPENCHANCE is a promenade integrated dance, performance project for hospitals and hospices (but not exclusively – we have created our work so it can be engaging and enjoyable in a wide range of settings).

Initially devised for the University Hospitals of North Midlands, Artistic Director Rachael Lines created five new contemporary dance works, especially for the hospital environment and all who attend; in and outpatients, visitors and staff.

Performers travel between public spaces and corridors to wards, and specialist units – we can even venture outside on the hospital grounds. We have work suitable for Children’s wards, Renal Units (Kidney Dialysis), Chemotherapy, Stroke, General Wards and Outpatient waiting areas – in fact our work can be performed anywhere!

We have different work available for both indoor and outdoor settings. We tailor what we perform for the right environment, situation, hospital and patient need. It can include storytelling and live music.

We can also facilitate one-to-one and group activities for staff, visitors and patients.

NEWS! Breakthrou’aDvANCE creating their first short dance films

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NEWS! Breakthrou’aDvANCE creating their first short dance films

Matt, Dan, Dave and Grace are collaborating with fellow Breakthrou’aDvANCER Emily to create a series of short solo dance films.

The have come up with the concept, idea, choreography, selected music and costumes and Emily has been filming (with their help!). All their work has now been filmed and their next task involves editing.

Our Artistic Director, Rachael has been supporting them and providing advice when it has been needed. Everyone has really enjoying this taster into creating ‘Dance For Camera’ especially as it’s the first time they have ever done anything like this.

We are really impressed so far and we can’t wait to share them with you – they are naturals!​

Haywood Hospital

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We’re now in residence at Haywood Hospital most Wednesdays for the next year!

Rachael Lines, our artistic director visits in and out patients on a weekly basis. Collaborating with nurses, consultants, physiotherapist and occupational therapists, Rachael delivers group and one to one sessions with a wide range of people, wards and clinics, such as Rheumatology , Elderly Care, Stroke, Parkinson’s, and Neurology. The project is part funded by the Haywood Foundation who exists to support local people with arthritis and related conditions. Rachael is working closely with the Foundation and an open group for all to attend is  set up. Contact us for more information.

Greg Hall

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Greg Hall is a composer, sound designer, musician and performer.

Theatre credits include Beauty & The Beast (NIE), I Will Be Everything (NIE), Cupboard Of Surprises (The National Theatre), Peter Pan (The Northcott Theatre).

Elegy For A Lady (The Salisbury Playhouse), My Brother, My Sister and Me (Polka Theatre), Paper Aeroplane (Lots Of Odds/Half Moon Theatre), Whispering Willows (Wassail Theatre) and Luna (Theatre Iolo/Theatre Hullabaloo).

Film and TV credits include Shane Meadow’s ‘Le Donk & Scor-Zay-Zee’ (Warp Films), and numerous worldwide placements on TV as part of music production company Monotwin.

Greg is a member of Minima, one of Europe’s leading silent film accompaniment bands and has also worked as an ethnomusicologist for the British Library in South Africa and Palestine.

Greg has worked with FRONTLINEdance since 2008, training as a professional dancer and dance for special educational needs gaining a distinction in this area.

Discover Dance Festival

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FRONTLINEdance perform at Discover Dance Festival. A new festival that they have brought to the area with other partners from the North Staffs Dance Development partnership.

Over four days, FRONTLINEdance’s artistic director, Rachael Lines will work with a new cast of disabled and non-disabled dancers as part of  a FREE 5 day residency, to make new work in and outside the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery. It will be about chance encounters that we have with strangers and what happens next, exploring how we are naturally drawn to and feel comfortable around some people, and how we react differently to those who make us feel tense, uncomfortable or those who may make us blush! It will be a family friendly show designed to make you smile with sections devised just for children and adults alike (with the help of a special arrival!)…… you may even get to make a paper aeroplane or two!

PERFORMED AROUND 3PM at THE POTTERIES MUSUEM AND ART GALLERY, HANLEY STOKE-ON-TRENT. Then Breakthrou’dance hit the Mitchell Arts Centre with 2 performances: Breakthrou’aDvANCE will perform #Thisishome….
Breakthrou’dance YOUTH: FRONTLINEdance’s youth company for 11 – 18 year olds who love to dance. They’ll present a new work #ThisisME