Your chance to join the cast of Gary Clarke’s award-winning COAL!

THE drama, the tragedy and the unbreakable spirit of a working class community fighting for its future…the show the critics hailed as “urgent and heroic” and “emotional dynamite” is back for a Spring 2018 tour!

Following a critically acclaimed two years at dance venues and theatres across Britain, Gary Clarke Company is set to visit even more locations with the critically acclaimed COAL!

And once again there’s a unique opportunity for women who have never been on stage before to make their own unique and valuable contribution as they join dancers and musicians for a remarkable live theatre tribute to the people living in the coalfields.

COAL is a riveting dance theatre show that takes a nostalgic but honest look at the hard hitting realities of life at the coal face, the back breaking physical graft and the impact it makes on body and soul, both underground and on the surface.

It is created by internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer Gary Clarke, who has vivid memories and personal experience of growing up in the Dearne Valley pit village of Grimethorpe, where he continues to live today.

The Spring tour will run from February 8 to March 28 and take in a wide range of venues including Canterbury, Doncaster, Inverness, St Andrew’s, Belfast and Brighton.

And although some of those dates will see the return of previous non-professional performers, there will still be the chance in Canterbury, Inverness and Belfast for new community players to take part.

The company will be looking at those three venues  for four women aged 30 plus and preferably with links to the mining industry to join the production and feature in a key section of the show, playing members of the women’s union ‘Women Against Pit Closures’ established in 1984.

The four women – who will will receive a food and travel allowance to cover

rehearsals as well as two complimentary tickets to the show – will perform  alongside and be supported by acclaimed dance artist TC Howard.

No stage or dance experience is necessary, although the role will involve some physical work.

Gary Clarke and TC Howard will work with everyone’s individual needs and abilities.

Kelly Leighton is a cleaner from the mining village of Kellingley who was one of the team of volunteers taking part in a special preview at Cast in Doncaster last year.

She says: “It was exciting, exhilarating, emotional, rewarding…the team could not  have  been more welcoming and understanding and it really did feel we were in it together.

“The bond we developed with the professionals  was beautiful. My involvement in COAL has changed my entire interpretation of theatre.

“I feel immensely proud. To anybody with  the opportunity of taking part, I would say go for it!”

Anybody interested in finding out more about the production  and the involvement needed, should apply to attend one of the open workshops for all three venues that will be announced soon.

The workshops are an opportunity to meet Gary Clarke & TC Howard, find out more about the production, ask questions and try out some ideas for the show.

For more information about COAL visit coaltour.co.uk

For any inquiries or to register interest in the workshops e-mail Laura Barber at engagementcoal@gmail.com or call 07391 621966.