What’s it like for a woman to go clubbing? Does the invitation into a nightlife space blur the line between participant and performer? What are the expectations of women in that scenario?
These are just some of the questions that movement artist Ellen Oliver explores in her latest performance work, Afters. Made in part at Lighthouse as part of the Sanctuary artist development residency, its latest iteration premiered at Camden Fringe in a sell out show that garnered a raft of positive reviews.
“Lighthouse was instrumental in the latest development of Afters,” explains Ellen, who is from Poole. “Through the Sanctuary scheme, I had the time, space, and support to rework the piece from solo to trio. It allowed me to slow down, listen to the body, and let the work evolve through collaborative exploration.
“The residency was a turning point, it gave me the chance to take the core themes of Afters and deepen them both choreographically and conceptually. Having Lighthouse’s support also meant I could test ideas with peers, reflect in real time, and begin imagining the choreographic world that Afters sits in.”
Ellen trained at the prestigious Trinity Laban Conservatoire before spending time developing her practice in with Dart Dance Company in Berlin. Her work often explores feminist themes and club culture, using dance to investigate how we move through public and intimate spaces.
“My pathway to this point has been shaped by curiosity, collaboration, and a desire to blur the lines between traditional performance contexts and everyday experiences.
“Afters began as a large group piece in Berlin, then evolved into a solo version that I performed in clubs and DIY spaces. Over time, I reimagined it as a trio rooted in somatic practice and club-inspired choreography. It’s a piece that lives between protest and performance – visceral, feminist, and charged with questions about visibility, agency, and power.”
And it’s not finished yet! Ellen plans to continue developing Afters in a number of different performances as well as experimenting with a DJ as part of the piece, integrating a performer who shifts between dancing and triggering the sound environment in real time.
Find Ellen on Insta @ellen0liver
(NC)
