mapdance performer reveals excitement for company’s first UK-wide tour since Covid pandemic
- Mason Pretorius speaks about returning to his hometown for first tour since March 2020
- mapdance company is an established group of dynamic young dancers
- UK-wide tour starts with Newbury performance on July 8th open
A PERFORMER from the University’s elite touring company mapdance has revealed his excitement around returning to his hometown for the first performance to live audiences since Covid began.
Mason Pretorius will be heading to Newbury on Thursday July 8th alongside other dancers on the MA Performance degree. The company offers an enticingly-varied set of new works by renowned and international contemporary choreographers.
Mason said his Newbury return represents a “full-circle” as it was location which nurtured his passion for dance as a teenager.
The 22-year-old added: “It’ll be an emotional one for me but also for everyone as its our last full theatre performance. I’m slightly nervous as I’m hoping to have friends, family, and teachers come to watch, some who haven’t seen me in many years perform, and I hope they all enjoy the show.”
mapdance company is an established group of dynamic young dancers recruited nationally and internationally – all studying at the University of Chichester, where Mason is now finishing his postgraduate degree.
Their diverse repertoire promises audiences a refreshing mixture of gritty dance-theatre, wry humour, and both intricate and questioning choreography – although Mason admitted to the challenges of rehearsing in lockdown with social-distancing rules still in effect.
“Studying dance during the pandemic has been an interesting experience,” added the Newbury dancer, who will also be performing alongside former Arlington resident Myles Swan.
“On mapdance you get to meet such a variety of dancers and choreographer broadening my spectrum of knowledge. It has been a beneficial experience helping me learn how to work and create in a fast-paced ever-changing environment. It’s helped me learn how to not only how to encourage myself to keep pushing but also to encourage and help others.”
The mapdance performance at Arlington Arts starts at 7pm on Thursday July 8th and will appeal to both seasoned viewers and those new to dance.
Tickets cost £16 each, or £10 for concessions, and can be purchased from www.arlingtonarts.ticketsolve.com or by calling 01635 244 246.
For more about mapdance visit www.mapdance.org.
