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Benched
Sat 5 Sep | Timings TBC | Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, E20 2AR
What to Expect: Audio Description | Easy Read Information | Speech free
Tickets: This event is FREE, just turn up.
- About
- Where to find it
- About the Artist
- Your Visit
- Supported by
Five performers test the limits of balance, timing and control.
School bench, park bench, cloakroom bench – a bench can be so many things.
Somewhere you sit down to relax, but also a place where footballers sit and wait to be called up to play. With spectacular choreography incorporating breakdance, capoeira and contemporary moves, 5 male dancers transform 3 black benches into an arena for cooperation and conflict.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, E20 2AR
For exact location please click on ///that.status.fame what3words is an easy way to identify precise locations. what3words, is available to download as an app or access on the web.
Public Transport: Elizabeth Line, Central Line, DLR, Overground, Bus
Uppercut Dance Theater has a more than 40 year long history and constitutes as one of the longest running dance companies in Denmark. Founded in 1982, the company pioneered in bringing contemporary dance on tour and into alternative institutions such as museums and schools. From the start 2000’s and onwards, Uppercut Dance Theater started working with and engaging street- and break dancers in their productions. One of whom was Mark Philip, an avid capoeira and break dance practitioner, who has been with the company for over 20 years and now constitutes the third generation of artistic directors, alongside choreographer Stephanie Thomasen. Stephanie Thomasen is an award-winning choreographer and the woman at the forefront of Uppercut Dance Theater. She graduated from The Ailey School Professional Divisions in 2009, where she also joined the company as a dancer and choreographer, soon to become the artistic director alongside Mark Philip, in 2016.
Promotional photography will take place at this event.
If you do not wish to be featured in our content, please ask one of our volunteers (easily noticeable, in their pink t-shirts) for a no photography sticker.
Benched is supported by Sadler’s Wells East, East Bank, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park The Danish Arts Foundation and Arts Council England.
ACCESS
- Show Access
- Site Access
- Easy Read Guide
Speech Free – This show has no speech
Audio Description – Part of the Live AD assisted route. To book your headset , email [email protected]
Easy Read Information – available on site and to download in early July
Full accessibility information coming early July
All shows in Dancing City are free to attend. Just show up.
Assistance Dogs Welcome
There will be signage on site with all important show and access information.
Level Access
Dancing City show locations have good step-free access and hard-standing surfaces.
Access Viewing areas
Each performance location will have an access viewing area for disabled audience members marked with a sign or flag. Space for wheelchair users, companions and seating with and without arms will be available.
Distance between performances
The festival site includes various locations across the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Performances in the Olympic Park are all between 2 minutes and 15 minutes travel time away from each other.
Check the Dancing City festival map and brochure (coming soon) to plan your route, ask a volunteer or at the information point.
Park Mobility services are available Park mobility | Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Low Sensory Space
A Low Sensory Space will be available for anyone who wishes to escape the crowds for some chillout time. At the Access Area and Low Sensory Space there will be ear defenders, easy read guides, large print resources and sensory toys.
There are lots of peaceful areas with shade and seating across the park
All shows at Dancing City are relaxed. This means you can come and go as you please, move around and make noise.
Accessible Toilets and Changing Places
The Podium: Accessible toilets and Changing Places– ask in Riverside East café for a Radar key.
University College London: Accessible toilets and Changing Places- ask at reception for Radar key.
Westfield Stratford City: Accessible toilets on various levels. Changing Places on the ground floor between Made by Society and Watches of Switzerland, radar key from staff and guest services.
There are also other venues across the park with open toilets
Click here for a QEOP map of accessible toilets and changing places facilities. PARK MAP_SEP 2024 update.pdf
Blue badge parking
Westfield Stratford Car Park. Charges may apply.
Drop-off point
Westfield Avenue
Contact
For Accessibility questions, contact [email protected] // 07899 893 935
For other audience questions, contact our Box Office: [email protected]
Full accessibility information coming early July.
