Logo

 

Banner Image:   Baptist-Times-banner-2000x370-
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet



The choreography of communion

 

Dance has the wonderful capacity to breathe new life into the interpretation of scripture. Ruth Hughes introduces a production that depicts God’s building of a community of love with Jesus at the centre



Springs Bread of Life1


“It is difficult to put Bread of Life into words. Profound. Beautiful. Moving. Incredible theology of grace and the ever watchful love of Jesus. Transformative and powerful. How attractive is Jesus.” The Revd Paul Hinton


I was brought up attending Redhill Baptist Church, under the passionate preaching of the Revd Richard Soar. I was always captured by the way Richard transformed dense scripture into emotional, engaging stories, so it was a natural step then, once I had joined Springs Dance Company as a professional dancer, to want to explore and share my faith through the powerful means of story, theatre and dance.

Springs is a dance and theatre company that helps churches reach out to and engage with their local communities through inspiring performance events. Dance has the wonderful capacity to breathe life into the interpretation of scripture, uncovering hidden depths and providing a way to cut through dense theology with simple physical actions.

So it was very exciting when in 2009, Springs was approached by Aelred Arnesen, a monk whose first conversation with me included the intriguing idea that the choreography of communion is misleading. The conversation we had started a journey between us and choreographer Suzannah McCreight that led to the creation of an incredibly moving dance theatre production that depicts God’s building of a community of love with Jesus at the centre.

The heart of the production is to show physically and visually Christ’s presence with us. Sometimes the way that we share communion unintentionally gives the non-verbal message that God is forwards and upwards from us – perhaps distant. How many of us during church services stage the service in front and slightly raised away from us? The way that our bodies are positioned and poised in that instance suggests God’s distance.

The reality is in fact the opposite. Bread of Life gives a stirring depiction of God right with us as we “do church” and share communion, standing alongside us, holding our hands, whispering in our ears, touching our hearts and meeting with us, drawing us into a closer relationship with him and each other.

Springs Bread of Life2The story of Bread of Life is a simple one – a change from straight lines into circles and of distance to closeness. A series of encounters that the characters have with the presence of Jesus leads them individually and then collectively to the communion table.

Bread of Life is performed with the audience seated all around the dancers. A simple yet beautiful set and varied music all add to the production. It's a wonderful way to engage communities during the lead up to Easter. Don’t just take our word for it! Church leaders have told us that those that watch are incredibly moved:


“… an amazing opportunity for us to reach out to people in our community.” Jonathan Richardson, New Life Church Banham

“A joyous, inspiring and deeply moving performance which wasn't just excellent dance and choreography, but led many people deeper in their encounter with God.” The Revd Neill Archer, Malmesbury Abbey.



Bread of Life will be touring this coming March and April. Don’t miss out! There is still time to book this outstanding production for your local church.



Springs also looks forwards eagerly each year to Christmas when we tour across the UK with our most popular show, Journey of the Magi. Now in its 23rd year, this hilarious, family friendly show will be touring during Advent.

Inspired by T S Eliot’s poem, Journey of the Magi, is a festive, light-hearted, joyful event with a moving and profound message. The show offers a bridge between contemporary life and Jesus’s birth, comparing our own personal journey to Christmas day with the journey that the wise men took. All the paths that the characters take towards despair, loneliness, isolation and commercialism all ultimately end with an encounter on Christmas Day with Jesus. Images from the poetry and familiar Christmas scenes explode in a mix of laugh-out-loud funny, moving and entertaining theatre and dance. 

"A vibrant piece of entertainment and an opportunity to step back, to reflect, and to refocus": a review of Journey of the Magi on the Moortown Baptist Church website.   

 

Images | Photographer: Phillip Bashford | Dancers: Steve Johnstone, Simon Palmer, Naomi Cook, Charlotte Brown, Claire Talbot




To find out more about either of these productions, visit www.springsdancecompany.org.uk 

Ruth Hughes is the Artistic Director of Springs Dance Company



 



Do you have a view? Share your thoughts via our letters' page

 


 
Baptist Times, 26/02/2019
    Post     Tweet
Helping Baptist churches embrace the nations 
2:19 is a charity that helps churches use English conversation classes and cafe initiatives to reach, welcome and share the gospel with speakers of other languages. CEO David Baldwin highlights three Baptist churches it has worked with
'Seeing the Easter story brought to life is a dramatic and moving experience for everyone' 
Have you ever experienced the Easter story through live theatre? This article by the Passion Trust highlights the power of a Passion Play - and several are taking place around the UK this Easter
Golden tears and beauty for ashes for survivors of sexual violence
Hannah Rose Thomas led trauma-healing art workshops around the world, before being invited to paint stunning portraits of the women she encountered. Her new book and exhibition - launching on International Women’s Day - help to tell their stories
Reaching people who are offline
New analysis indicates that almost half of over 65s are either unable to use the internet safely and successfully, or are not online at all. This has important implications for churches, writes Alex Drew - and here are some ideas to consider
‘Our aim is to help participants learn peace-making skills’ 
Baptist minister and mediation trainer Joanna Williams introduces a five-session course she is hosting for anyone interested in transforming conflicts in a church setting – and beyond
What might a Kingdom business look like?
The final part of the series offers two ways to reflect on Lydia, Nehemiah, Solomon and David as exemplars in business
     The Baptist Times 
    Posted: 05/02/2024
    Posted: 16/12/2023
    Posted: 15/12/2023
    Posted: 06/12/2023
    Posted: 27/11/2023
    Posted: 12/09/2023
    Posted: 31/08/2023
    Posted: 13/06/2023
    Posted: 01/05/2023