ReBels with Rhythm

Barbican Theatre are excited to be returning to the Piazza with a vibrant programme of dance celebrating rhythm.  Our ReBels dance talent development groups, will be performing with energising rhythms and fused dance styles. Joining them in the lineup are professional dancers in Afro Beat, Commercial, Flamenco and Bharatanatyam. Together they will fill the piazza with sound, dance and the joy of movement.

Come and enjoy one of three 20minute performances on Thursday 10 December at the Piazza (opposite the sundial on Armada Way, next to Dingles)  at 5:30pm/ 6pm/ 6:30pm

Our Performers and Performances:

ReBels ‘What’s Your Style’ – Group Performance

This group of dancers ages 12-15,  have been exploring dance in different styles, taking influence from technique and choreography in contemporary, Bollywood,  Afro Beat and commercial. The ReBels team have worked with AfroBeat dancer Beryl Tebug on the creation of this piece

ReBels ‘Choreography + Composition’ – Group Performance

Our choreography and composition Rebels have been working with percussion and dance to explore time signatures, rhythm, and composing music alongside dance. Working with musician Ben Isbell, the group are sharing an energetic, rhythmical response to themes of communication. 

Mercedes Romero – Flamenco  Soloist 

Mercedes Romero is a professional Flamenco dancer, teacher and choreographer. She graduated from the Conservatory of Alicante, Spain in Spanish Dance & Flamenco and Classical Ballet. She has performed and taught for over 25 years. Performing in Spain, Mexico, France, Italy and England with various dance companies 

In Plymouth,  Mercedes has taught and performed at The Barbican Theatre for many years and created a small Flamenco group performing at various theatres and venues in Devon and Cornwall. Mercedes’ dancing is dynamic and engaging with full body strength. She uses a mix of traditional and modern Flamenco to show her audience the roots and styles adding a new dimension to this passionate and vibrant dance. 

Vibha Selvaratnam – Bharatantyam Soloist 

Vibha is recognised as one of the up and coming young dancers in the UK having been invited to perform at several young dancer showcases by Akademi (London), Milapfest (North East) and Nada Nrityotsava Festival (India). 

Born into dance with her mother Kiran Ratna as her Bharatantyam Guru, Vibha has now grown into a performer and choreographer developing and presenting her own work. Vibha currently heads India Dance South West. As well as a performer, Vibha has a great interest and ability in passing on the art form through leading regular classes in Exeter and Plymouth and is taking students through the ISTD dance exams.  

How you can support young and emerging artists like these

All performances in ReBels with Rhythm are free to watch. However if you’d like to donate to support young and emerging artists such as (and Barbican Theatre so we can continue to create unique and enjoyable performances such as these and offer employment to local freelance artists) please click here 

We’d like to say a big thank you to our ReBels team and Plymouth City Centre Company for their support of this production.