Grace, vitality, physical wisdom, and a myriad of life experiences dwell in the bodies of older dancers. A lifetime of living, our personal journeys through the ups and downs of life, the many varied landscapes we have inhabited – through the power of experience the older dancer has many stories to tell and something very special to offer.

Striking Attitudes believes that the ageing body can still be a dancing body. Why should we stop dancing as our bodies change? The older dancer must have an equal chance to remain creative, to take part, to have the right to dance. We ask what it means to be a dancer as we age.

Striking Attitudes flies the flag for the mature dancer – we offer continuity of purpose and careers explored further, not terminated. We aim to be a force for change at a time when the number of older people in our society is rapidly growing and to be a voice for Wales by engaging in dialogues and partnerships that question the ageism endemic in our society.

Striking Attitudes considers those over 50 to be an under-represented group without equal opportunities and we strive to change this believing people of all ages benefit significantly from the creative/physical experience and social interaction. Our work extends the quality of life and makes a significant contribution to the concept of positive ageing and extends the quality of life. 

Caroline Lamb

 

“The older dancer is not about being ’less’ of a performer but about being a ‘different’ performer – a performer with a depth of physical knowledge and life skills that can make for compelling and fascinating performances.”

Caroline Lamb, Artistic Director and Choreographer of Striking Attitudes 

PRESS

Striking Attitudes review: The Long Winter at the Wales Dance Platform (2015)

Steve Stratford reviewed Striking Attitudes’ performance, ‘A Long Winter’ at the 2015 Wales Dance Platform.

‘Day two ended with what could be my favourite work of the entire platform…a beautiful, delicate evocation of the ageing process, the fragility of life as we hurtle without escape toward the inevitable…The power of The Long Winter stayed with me long after I’d left the building. That, for me, is a haunting legacy to leave your audience.’

Read the full review HERE

Striking Attitudes in Arts Professional (2013)

Striking Attitudes were recently featured in Arts Professional. Please follow the LINK to read the article ‘Still Viable and Vital’ all about the older professional dancer:

Striking Attitudes in ‘Dancing Times’ (2013) 

Stepping Further_DT_November 2013

Each For All: All For Each BBC Publicity (2013)

Striking Attitudes is mentioned in this BBC article in relation to their current show ‘Each For All, All For Each’ which marks the centenary of the Senghenydd mining disaster.

The production choreographed and directed by Artistic Director Caroline Lamb, will feature text from Welsh poet and playwright Patrick Jones and music written by James Dean Bradfield of the Manic Street Preachers!

Once Upon A Time in the Dark, Dark Wood Press and Feedback (2013)

‘The oldest member of the company is 67 yet we were lulled and delighted by their soft movement and particularly, by the way, the ensemble warmly related to each other’ – Michael Kelligan, Director and reviewer for Western Mail

‘Striking Attitudes accomplished the rare delight of presenting the magical as everyday.‘ – Buzz Magazine, Cardiff

Read the full REVIEW

‘Lamb’s sections in this work speak most clearly, showing her experience as a maker, especially in the building of a language of dance motifs and in the use of music and text, references cleverly inter-woven to create a dark, fairy tale ambiance – but these are fairy tales for the other end of life – for the fearful time before death, a place of symbols and lessons echoing in memory and pulling at the unconscious, a cross-hatching of images, both aural and visual, that reveal Lamb’s experience as a movement director for opera.’
– Jenny March, Theatre Wales

‘A great pleasure to see such experienced performers bringing maturity and meaning to the stage.’ – Geoff Moore, Moving Being Productions

‘Congratulations on a stunning piece of work.‘ –Sara Beer, Director and Producer

‘It really was superb. The best thing I’ve seem for a long while. It re-instilled my faith in local work. My congratulations. Fantastic work’ – Chris Durnall, Theatre Director

‘A beautifully atmospheric piece.‘ – Chris Morgan, Director and Actor.

‘This was enthralling – such a theatrical and well-conceived production, congratulations.‘ – Lynn Hoare, Audience.

‘Absolutely mesmerising.‘ – Amanda L Jones, Audience.

Striking Attitudes in the Western Mail (2011)

A two-page feature written by Abbie Wightwick, about Striking Attitudes and the making of the Footfalls film appeared in the Western Mail in November.

Abbie visited the ladies of Cofio dance group who participated in the film to find out more. “I never thought I’d dance at the top of a mountain at 92,” says Nell Cooper, talking to Abbie about her experience during the filming of Footfalls.

The feature goes on to say: “Nell, who will be 93 in a few months, says she never dreamed she’d be in a film but she was determined to get to the top of Maerdy Mountain. “Well, I love dancing,” she adds by way of explanation. “I’ll never stop.”

Older Dancers in New Art Film article

Striking Attitudes ‘Footfalls’ Press (2010)

Striking Attitudes have been featured on the dawns i bawb website in connection with their Footfalls for the community Cwm Machno (North Wales) group:

‘With people from Cwm Penmachno (Conwy) we worked with professional choreographers and a film maker to take part in making a dance film located in the old quarry of the village. An extremely moving experience for all of us.’

‘Happy, spellbound and enjoyed every minute of workshop’ – Vivienne L.

‘Creative, physically magical‘ – Sue S.

Striking Attitudes ‘Three Parts Iced Over’ Press (2006)

‘It’s excellent- so simple, so complex, so wonderful. Go and see it, please. The network of emotions that runs through it is marvellous. A wonderful marriage of movement and the spoken word. It was so gripping. Everyone must go and see it.’

S4C TV review of ‘Three Parts Iced Over’.