LAST MAN STANDING
James Wilton, James Wilton Dance, England
Choreography: James Wilton
Performed by: Sarah Jane Taylor, James Wilton, Harlan Rust, Michael Kelland, Samuel Baxter
Music: Tool
Lighting design: Mario Ilsanker
Last Man Standing is commissioned by Dance City with support from Falmouth University, Plymouth Dance, Barbican Theatre Plymouth and Arts Council England, Grants for the Arts.
Duration: 65+20 minutes
Danger, the fragility of existence and the desire to survive; we’re surrounded by these things in the relentless struggle of life. How do we respond? With fear, anger, determination?
Last Man Standing is dance driven by unparalleled energy and athleticism, performed by world class dancers. The first full length work by award winning choreographer, James Wilton. Renown for exhilarating choreography that leaves you breathless, James’ work draws on martial arts, break dancing and capoeira to create a raw, earthy and groundbreaking performance.
Save your breath, it may be your last.
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James Wilton
Choreographer, Artistic Director and Producer.
Winner of the Sadler’s Wells Global Dance Contest with The Shortest Day, 2010
Winner of the Audience Award for Best Choreography at 16 MASDANZA with The Shortest Day, 2011
Winner of 3rd Prize at the Hannover 26th International Choreographers Competition with The Shortest Day, 2012
Winner of 3rd Prize at the Berner Tanzprize with the 1st section of Last Man Standing, 2014
After graduating in 2009 from LCDS, James was commissioned to re-work his second year student choreography Drift for Scottish Dance Theatre for touring throughout 2010-2014. In 2013 the work went on to be staged on Ballett Hagen, Germany, as well as being restaged on students of The London Contemporary Dance School for performance at The Beijing Academy’s 60th Celebration Gala 2014.
In 2013 James choreographed ‘The Rite of Spring‘ for Oper Graz for the 100 year celebration of its operation, resulting in 10 performances with a full orchestra.
In 2013 James was commissioned to create a work for the Rugby League 2013 World Cup. The work was created on 50 dancers and was performed as part of the opening ceremony at The Millennium Stadium, and also at Wembley Stadium.
James was a recipient of a BBC Performing Arts Fellowship award in partnership with Swindon Dance. He was also the winner of the Blueprint Bursary through Sadlers Wells, East London Dance and London Youth Dance.
James is an associate company at The Hall for Cornwall Theatre, Truro.
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“Last Man Standing feels like a bold, fresh, innovative, modern piece of work with real intent and ambition. This makes him a welcome addition to British dance. More please.” – Peter Jacobs, The Public Reviews (www.thepublicreviews.com)
“Last Man Standing was a powerful and emotive experience interweaving fragility with strength, contraband against honesty and life versus death. An attack on the senses through incredible complexities of physical movement and partnership working amongst the ensemble made for moments of feeling humiliated, beaten and defenceless, whilst simultaneously presenting you with a sense of protection, rejuvenation and self worth; an all encompassing metaphor for existence.” – Garth Gratix, Alt Blackpool (www.altblackpool.co.uk)
“Not only had we witnessed the most physical of contemporary dance companies, but our senses were pummelled by thinking man’s progressive metal band, Tool, whose songs soundtracked the show.” – Lee Trewhela, West Briton (www.westbriton.co.uk)