BUCKLAND Abbey recently hosted a residency by the world renowned Rambert Dance Company which gave local people a unique opportunity to explore history through innovative contemporary dance.
Local schools Tavistock College and Meavy Primary School joined the Plymouth Theatre Royal's People's Company, Centre Stage Dance Group and Lipson Community College to work on creating a dance. They then shared their work with family, friends and invited guests.
Dance in Trust is an exciting new initiative that aims to help people of all ages and backgrounds create original dance and music inspired by the built and natural environment.
The project combines the National Trust's extensive educational experience as a leading provider of educational visits with the Rambert Dance Company's critically acclaimed and experimental approach to dance.
In the fourth residency of the project, dancers from Rambert Dance Company helped local community groups to transform their experience of Buckland Abbey into a special dance performance.
The focus of the performance was the travels of Buckland Abbey's most famous resident, Tudor explorer Sir Francis Drake. Participants drew on the themes of travel and exploration to produce a piece of original dance called Voyages of Discovery.
Each group performed in a different area of the abbey building and grounds — including the new Elizabethan garden. They then combined for the final dance in the Great Barn — which involved all 120 performers.