In celebration of Black History Month, this episode of the Super Humans podcast has Rambert dancer Liam Francis chat to actor Leah Harvey about influential idols, handstands backstage and what they’ve both learnt from their grandparents who arrived in Britain as part of the Windrush generation.
One to keep your eye on, Leah began her career at the age of 14 when she appeared in the BBC film adaption of Jacqueline Wilson’s book Dustbin Baby. She has since gone on to appear in the film Fighting with My Family, the BBC series Les Misérables, Emilia by Morgan Lloyd Malcom at Shakespeare’s Globe and the soon to be released Apple TV+ series Foundation.
Her breakout role in the National Theatre’s adaption of Small Island by Andrea Levy in 2019 was, as she describes, an overwhelming experience and one ‘that changed her life massively’. Telling the story of post-war Caribbean migration, Leah played the role of Hortense, a character who leaves Jamaica on the HMT Empire Windrush to start a new life in London.
S1 E1 This Is Me
What if a group of brilliant and daring people explore what it means to express your queer identity.
Featuring Rambert dancers, Max Day and Dylan Tedaldi and care home sign in manager Sam Bernard who defiantly refuses to conform to gender norms.
This film was made by and features:
Freya Hill
Kacey Webster
Reece Mallatt
Amber Bagshaw
Robyn Holborn
Directed and edited by: Emily Badescu
Co-produced by: Chloe Young & Daniel Fulvio
Executive Producer: Helen Shute
Filmed by: Emily Badescu
Additional filming: Darryl Daniel
Drone filming: Mike Rumsey
Camera Assistant: Acacia Daniel
Sound mix: Ben Sims
Colour grade: Lita Bosch
Future Movement is Rambert’s free creative youth programme for young people aged 16-19. This fresh collaboration takes place in three locations – Rambert South Bank, Touchstones Rochdale and Mansfield Palace Theatre.
To find out more about the programme, go to rambert.org.uk/join-in/future-movement/
Have you ever considered daring yourself to give up your job to pursue a dream? Here’s a woman that did it.
In this episode of Super Humans podcast, Rambert dancer Simone Damberg Würtz speaks to Marion Rabate. Marion spent 10 years working in the world of finance before following her creative dreams. Her company, Ernest Leoty, is a Parisian couture active wear brand for women made by woman.
In the episode, Marion and Simone discuss ‘aha moments’, body positivity, the importance of dreaming, and what it takes to start your own business.
Two super humans: actress Thandiwe Newton and Rambert Dancer Kym Sojourna, share personal experiences of being Black women in Hollywood and the dance industry respectively.
We feel Thandiwe doesn’t need much of an introduction…like us, you’ll probably recognise Thandiwe from her starring roles in films such as Beloved, Mission Impossible Two, and Crash, for which she received a BAFTA award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Since 2016, Thandiwe has played the role of a sentient android in HBO’s sci-fi western series Westworld, which has recently earned her an Emmy nomination and in 2017 she hit UK screens playing the role of DCI Roz Huntley in the BBC drama series Line of Duty.
A source of inspiration, Thandiwe has recently opened up about her experiences of racism and sexism in the entertainment industry, and her journey of finding a sense of self and self-acceptance. These are really important and powerful conversations to be had, and I can’t wait to discuss with Thandiwe what she draws from – when faced with such adversity – how she remains motivated and optimistic that it is possible to show up and move the world forward.
We know that some of you will listen to these podcasts in the presence of younger family members – we love that – just watch out for some adult language in this one.
On this episode of Superhumans, Rambert dancer Max Day speaks with the force of nature that is Jay Jay Revlon.
As the Father of the ‘UK House of Revlon’ Jay Jay is a leading authority and influence on Ballroom in the UK. Ballroom originated in late 20th century as an LGBTQ+ subculture, where Black and Latino drag queens began to organize their own pageants in opposition to racism experienced in established drag queen pageant circuit (you might have seen it explored in the ground-breaking American drama Pose).
Jay Jay and Max get into the origins of Houses, mainstream representation of voguing and the Ballroom Scene and the importance of having the right voices involved in those stories (which you might be surprised to learn is not always the case). It’s a conversation that educates on how to respect and support the community and brings us into the world of Ballroom.
In addition, Jay Jay talks about his ongoing activism and projects – creating safe spaces for QPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, including his club night, ‘Let’s Have a Kiki #theparty” and as a volunteer peer-to-peer mentor at Stonewall Housing.
We loved talking with Jay Jay on this podcast, and the openness and sense of humour he brings to all his insights.
Our dancers each bring their own perspectives to the performance. They’re pretty cool off stage too. Meet Simone.
P.S. if you want to workout to Simone’s music choices, check out her playlist in Push Yourself
DoP – Tom Walder | Dan Löwenstein
Directed & Edited – Dan Löwenstein
It all started with a question.
At what point do you need to stand out from the crowd, and at what point do you desperately want to blend in?
In this short film Brave a group of 16 to 19 year olds bare their souls with their own creative responses.
Through spoken word, poetry and dance, they make their voices heard and confront the world around them and within them.
It’s personal, it’s political, and it’s brave.
You have to have heart,
to wake up and start,
but I know you understand that,
cause I guess we all deal with that part
– Augustine Shaw, from Brave
Brave is the culmination of Rambert’s Future Movement, a fresh youth skills development project, which was launched in a collaboration with Theatre Peckham in September 2021.
This film was made by:
Augustine Shaw
Ben-King
Ciara Shannon Donegal-Webb
Hilary Senou
Jayda Dawkins
Kedese Jhenele Martin
Stella-Maris Alozie
Rhys Lee Howarth
Produced by:
Chloe Young
Daniel Fulvio
Jazz Lintott
Dramaturge – Chloe Young
Director – Bani Mendy
Gaffer – Nathan Ford
1st AC – Devan Sheward-Clarke
Steadicam – Jay Gomez
Post Production – Alphonse Mendy
Original Music Composition – Alphonse Mendy
Our Superhuman dancers put you in their pocket and take you inside their world and our studios. Shot on an iPhone during rehearsals of our latest livestream, here’s a window into their world.
Our latest short on Rambert Plus.
Introducing Rambert dancer Aishwarya Raut
Aishwarya comes to Rambert via Bollywood and Rambert2. She does not want you to call her “awesome”. But we think she is.
Take a Contemporary Fusion class with Aishwarya, or watch her in the short film Goldfish.
DoP – Tom Walder | Dan Löwenstein
Directed & Edited – Dan Löwenstein