Ballerinas to abseil down the Ravensbourne building

Ravensbourne University London has been handpicked to take part in the Greenwich+Docklands International Festival 2021. Ballerinas from Delrevés will give a breath-taking performance, suspended from the roof of the Ravensbourne building. The performance will take place on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 August 2021.

The Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF) is a free outdoor arts celebration that brings theatre and performing arts to the streets. The Guardian has called the festival an “unrivalled contribution to the happiness of the people of London”. Coupling ground-breaking dances with physical theatre, the festival is an inclusive, welcoming highlight of the Greenwich events calendar. GDIF is a registered charity, celebrating their 26th anniversary this year. The theme for GDIF 2021 is ‘Healing Together’, marking our emergence from the pandemic, with productions that celebrate our reconnection with the natural world and each other.

Performances will take place across the Royal Borough of Greenwich, East London and the Royal Docks, including Ravensbourne’s home on the Greenwich peninsula.  All shows and sites are relaxed, with wheelchair access and access dogs welcome. Most events are British Sign Language interpreted and are appropriate for all age groups.

Ravensbourne’s award-winning building will take centre stage as Delrevés perform suspended from the rooftop. Delrevés is a vertical dance company founded in Barcelona by Saioa Fernández and Eduardo Torres. The company create a fusion of digital arts, theatre and vertical dance, using architecture to support the movement. The dance company have an international following, having performed in four continents.

The performance, titled ‘Finale’ invites the audience to enjoy classical dance in a unique performance space and perspective. The enchanting dance piece is 18 minutes long and uses well-known classical pieces, including elements of ballets like ‘Swan Lake’, ‘The Nutcracker’ and ‘Giselle’.

Vice Chancellor Andy Cook commented, “We’re committed to supporting the amazing things that happen on the Greenwich peninsula and celebrating our local community. The festival embodies our values of inclusivity and ensuring high-quality creativity is accessible to all. We are thrilled about this fantastic opportunity and cannot wait to see a performance that we’re sure will be spectacular.”

GDIF’s Artistic Director, Bradley Hemmings said, “GDIF 2021 explores what we’ve learned over the past 18 months, placing the great outdoors at the heart of an optimistic and forward-looking artistic programme, whilst celebrating difference, diversity and inclusion with productions which transform perceptions and call for change.”

The festival takes place from Friday 27 August to Saturday 11 September 2021. The Delrevés performance is part of ‘Dance by Design’. All performances can be viewed from The Tide, Greenwich Peninsula.

Visit the GDIF website to find out more.