John Darvell – director | choreographer | performer | teacher | coach | web & graphic designerJohn Darvell creates thought-provoking, darkly cinematic, twisted scenarios which are firmly rooted in the here and now. His choreography explores human realities, laying bare individual vulnerabilities, so often wounded and unseen in the new world order of mega-corporate faceless forces.
John’s professional journey into dance began in his late 30’s when he took the courageous step to leave his IT job security behind and risk a full career change by retraining in contemporary dance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Fundamental aesthetics developed as a visual designer influence his distinctive approach to choreography which is all about creating immersive and interactive dance experiences. Past work include:‘The Riddle’ | Director & Choreographer – A digital outdoor treasure hunt, currently touring. FITS2022, Romania, Basingstoke Festival & Greenwich Festival, London. The work was developed as one of the ‘boxes’ of Greenwich Dance’s innovative new way to safely create, produce and tour dance work, ArtsUnboxed.
‘…And They Have Escaped’ | Director, Choreographer & Visual Design – Fusing a museum’s collection with dance for film, iPads, location sensors & projections in an installation that explored our fascination with living our lives through our mobile phones. Funded by Arts Council England and Corn Exchange, Newbury.
‘Revelations of Miss White’ | Director, Choreographer & Visual Design – An innovative online dance mystery told solely through Miss White’s Facebook profile. Funded by Arts Council England and Corn Exchange, Newbury.
‘Fractured Landscapes’ | Choreographer & Dancer – A live and online work exploring the theme of bereavement.
‘dareyouwatch’ | Director, Choreographer & Visual Designer – An immersive site-specific performance streamed live over 18 hours – the culmination of a 72-day transmedia campaign, incorporating web feeds and social media chatter. A SHP Live commissioned piece funded by Arts Council England, West Berkshire Council and Newbury College.
As Director, Choreographer & founder of NOCTURN since 2007, John Darvell has focussed on creative, innovative & participatory projects. Involving & affecting local communities and/or other professionals in John’s work, people’s lived experiences inspire him. Community participation is key to his creative practice. A recurrent theme is the dependency we have on modern technology & its impact on society. He asks individuals/groups to use or try NOT to use their mobile devices or favourite social media. It’s serious but upbeat. It’s online or anywhere in your daily life. It’s accessible, often free & always fun.
Charlie Brittain – choreographer | performer | rehearsal director | teacherCharlie completed the ‘Artist in Process’ professional training program at the Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance (AT), majoring in choreography. He graduated from the Professional Dance Course at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts (UK), having commenced his formal training at the Centre for Advanced Training, London Contemporary Dance School and been founding member of the English National Ballet Youth Company.
Currently a dancer with Russell Maliphant Company (UK), Charlie has performed with Kale Companhia de Dança (POR), Helder Seabra (POR/BE), Christine Hassid (FR), Milan Tomášik (SLO/SK), Julyen Hamilton (UK/ESP), Helen Parlor (UK), Barnaby Booth (UK/AT) and in projects with Rambert Dance Company, English National Ballet, the Royal Opera House, East London Dance and Dance GB, amongst others.His choreographic work is performed internationally and he regularly delivers commissions for dance companies, training institutes and festivals. Charlie is a sought-after rehearsal director, working across a variety of artistic environments and ventures for companies and independent projects throughout Europe. His teaching includes National Dance Company Wales (UK), Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance (AT), Zagreb Academy of Dramatic Arts (CRO), Northern School of Contemporary Dance (UK), Jasmin Vardimon II (UK), English National Ballet, EN-KNAP Dance Company (SLO), Dans Punt Festival (BE), Liptovské Divadlo Tanca (SK), Divadlo Studio Tanca – Banská Bystrica (SK), London Studio Centre (UK), National Youth Ballet of Great Britain, British Youth Music Theatre, Richard Chappell Dance (UK) and STKLH Conservatory (SK). In addition to his freelance portfolio Charlie has been Associate Artist at English National Ballet and is currently Rehearsal Director at Richard Chappell Dance and Artistic Consultant at the National Youth Ballet of Great Britain, having been Associate Creative Director from 2020 until early 2022.
Alongside his commitment to dance he is a practising Clinical Sports Therapist & Rehabilitation practitioner, Myofascial Release Practitioner, Musculoskeletal Health Specialist and certified Pilates’ instructor. His clinical practice is specialised in the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of dancers and movement practitioners alongside which he consults and lectures across a range of areas in dance health and well-being and on professional Sports Therapy, coaching and rehabilitation courses. He has devised courses and workshops on various topics within dance health and well-being which have been delivered on professional and vocational training programmes in the UK and abroad, and he regularly consults for dance institutes, training programmes and professionals. In addition to Advanced Clinical Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation (MDip.ST, ADST) and Advanced Myofascial Release (Dip.MFR), Charlie is qualified in medical acupuncture, spinal manipulation, manual lymphatic drainage and instrument assisted soft-tissue mobilisation as well as in emergency and urgent care. He is committed to integrative practice and is currently working towards qualifications and certifications in Integrative Health Coaching and Nutritional Therapy, Understanding Trauma for Health Practitioners and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (ABNLP) as well as his certification as a biomechanics specialist. He remains active in frontline pre-hospital care with emergency ambulance services. Photo Credit: Mikah Smillie
