Like all of you, Hofesh Shechter Company has been affected considerably by the Covid-19 epidemic. Being an international touring company, performing to world-wide audiences, a significant amount of our performances have been cancelled, due to the restrictions of travel, both internationally and nationally, and the strict restrictions on public gatherings.
From the outset of Hofesh Shechter Company’s life, our utmost priority was to inspire by creating high quality art work, in order to share and to enhance both the lives of our audiences, communities as well as the many artists who work with us, together with a wide team of technicians, designers and musicians, and an administration that supports that vast creative work.
In this unprecedented situation, where the health and safety of our audiences, participants and our team is our main priority, we want to keep our principles of strong connection and support of our wide team, together with continuing to inspire those who engage with us, to keep on moving. It is a challenge, but one we embrace.
We are in the process of creating new ways of connecting with you, audiences and dance community alike, by sharing online content over the coming months. We will keep you updated with our plans in our newsletter. You can also check this website and follow us on social media.
Meanwhile, Hofesh would like to share this with you:
“Weirdly, some of you will have some more time on your hand right now; time, the most valuable currency to exist. I really hope you can use some of this time to move every day … Movement is healing, opening, creating flow in the body, a sense of euphoria, for no reason … other than a sharp feeling of life. If you can move, dance, stretch, every day, just a little, just 15 minutes, you will feel a difference in the intelligence of your body, in your levels of energy, in the sharpness of your mind.
“Please join me in this little podcast I created many years ago, together with Fuel. All you need is a little bit of space to move in your living room/bedroom, a pair of headphones, and prepare for a little movement adventure – I know, normally we perform for you … but it is always to inspire, conjuring feelings inside you, and now you can tap into those by moving yourself. Take it as a wild adventure, a small jump into the cold pond … Join me here.”
Another way to engage with the work right now will be connecting with the Cinedans FEST online content. Hofesh Shechter’s Clowns will be part of a special online selection from the Cinedans FEST ’20 programme on Cinedans WEB until 29 March. More information about the online programme here.
This situation is unprecedented and the period ahead presents a very challenging time for our industry. We are making our utmost efforts to support our whole team, our freelance artists, including technicians, musicians and dancers, and will continue to champion support for them through this difficult period.
We are aware that many cultural freelancers have been severely affected by this unprecedented situation. In response to our industry body One Dance UK, we support the open letter calling upon government to provide a Temporary Income Protection for all freelancers at risk. More information about this can be found here.
Three of our touring productions: Grand Finale, and our premieres of Double Murder and POLITICAL MOTHER UNPLUGGED have been affected by this situation. Details of affected performances can be found here. Many theatres are asking bookers of cancelled performances to consider donating the value of their ticket right now; if you are in a position to do so it will greatly help our industry.
We continue to follow UK Government and Public Health England updates, the directives from venues we work with worldwide and fully support the difficult decisions our partners may need to make about their future programmes.
We would like to sincerely thank you, our funders and supporters and our brilliant team for their hard work and understanding at this time. We cannot do what we do without you.
We would also like to thank the Arts Council England for their leadership and support.
Please take care, keep safe and stay connected.
Hofesh Shechter Company