Threads explores the memories, experiences and connections that bind a community together, weaving them into a powerful artistic tapestry. A fascinating blend of heritage and contemporary creativity, Threads combines dance, voice, film, sound, writing and personal stories to explore our changing relationships to fabrics over time.

Created by Devon-based dance artists Ruth Bell and Tamsin Evans with Swift Dance Company, the project was inspired by their shared local community and the local textile heritage site Coldharbour Mill, one of Devon’s most iconic industrial landmarks.

Threads grew into an ambitious community arts project, which brought the arts into the rural community and engaged local intergenerational groups within the Culm valley area.

Alongside site-specific research, choreographing and filming at the mill, we collaborated with local elders to explore movement and dance connected to the rhythms of the mill and patterns/actions of working with textiles, to gather stories which connect us to the history of our changing relationships to fabrics and questions of sustainability, fast fashion and environmental impact. We developed this intergenerational learning to deliver schools workshops, which shared creative dance movement inspired by the mill and the elders stories of repairing/thrifting and re-using fabrics and as well as recycling-based craft-exercises.

Our performance of Threads is a celebration of all of this richness – we have gathered sounds from the mill, voices from our elders, inspiration from the young folk, wrapping and binding all these strands to create a rich tapestry to share with you.

Audience celebration of Threads:

‘Absolutely breathtaking. Moving, all-encompassing and beautiful.’

‘This blew my mind! What an incredible celebration of life, art textiles, and our heritage. Such a beautiful, emotional performance, I loved it. Thank you.’

‘A brilliant opportunity to consider and reflect on the impact of historic textile industry and current day clothes waste through a creative lens.’

‘Women’s voices, skills and experiences are rarely showcased in this way, and so it was extra powerful to celebrate the hidden endeavours of women over the past century’.

About the company:

South West Dance Hub & Swift Dance Company are in residence at Exeter Phoenix. SWDH hosts monthly hub sessions where we welcome dancers, movers, makers and artists from other disciplines to connect, create & collaborate.

To get in touch contact: swdancehub@gmail.com @swdancehub @rubellarts

Mailing List Information: swdancehub@gmail.com

Additional information

Duration: 60 mins

Age guidance: Suitable for all ages

Content warning: Includes some loud sound recordings of machines from Coldharbour Mill.

Venue: Auditorium, Exeter Phoenix

*Subject to a £1.50 ticketing system charge. We don’t charge this to make a profit. Find out more >>