Making of Portfolio Collection

Portfolio Collection began as a crazy idea by Artistic Director Vicki Balaam, to work with more than the usual two choreographers. Not one to be shy, Vicki decided that 'Seven' was a nice round number.

Laura & Dan rehearse – photo by Martin Struik

In addition to offering unique creative opportunities for different choreographers to work with the company, the project would also present a great opportunity for the dancers to experience a diverse range of new styles and techniques.

The initial aim of the project was to create seven pieces, each lasting approximately 10 minutes, from a single brief and within a set of rules determined by the Artistic Director.

As StopGAP audiences are generally made-up of a range of people, from dance connoisseurs, to those who have never seen contemporary dance before, by presenting multiple 'short' sections that would appeal to new audiences, it would allow more edgy, occasionally darker ideas and light-hearted moments, as well as pure abstract dance ideas to be developed. All of which would hopefully appeal to all types of audiences.

Lucy & Dan rehearse – photo by Martin Struik

With a timescale of 18 months, the process was to invite each choreographer in for a period of about 10 days, during which time they would work with the dancers to fulfil the creative brief for their given section – An example of a given brief might be 'To devise a male duet to showcase Chris's movement' (the brief given to Hofesh Shechter) or 'To create Dance Theatre work playing with the exaggerated characteristics of the dancers' (the brief given to Lucy Bennett).

However, in a break from tradition, the choreographers were not expected to set the brief for the composer. Instead, the music brief for each section of Portfolio Collection was set by the Artistic Director, thereby influencing the feeling of the final piece.

Laura & Vicki during a dress rehearsal – photo by Nick Robertson

It was originally intended that a few solos would be included in the collection and the rest mostly duets, but as none of the dancers wanted to miss an opportunity to work with each choreographer, the groupings became mostly trios or quartets.

As the project reached half-way to completion, several themes began to appear and the Artistic Director began planning the order in which the pieces would be performed with linking sections.

Each change of order gives a completely different experience for the audience, with different combinations chosen for different programmes. Each version being selected to best characterise StopGAP's strong dance technique, mixed with a healthy dose of humour that its audiences have come to expect.

StopGAP perform at 'The Place, London'

Following a successful 17 date European tour, which included a selection of the completed pieces, the full Portfolio Collection was eventually completed (on time!) in November 2007.

Ultimately, instead of the planned 7 bite-sized pieces to this banquet of dance, the menu was now up to a staggering 'Nine' courses!

However, as originally planned, it was maintained that the final UK tour programme would still only include 4 or 5 pieces at the most, with different venues hosting different programmes – but with all nine pieces being performed at some point during the tour, it would give audiences the opportunity to follow the tour and 'collect the set'.

The full Portfolio Collection was officially launched at The Point (Eastleigh) on 22nd November 2007 to great acclaim.