Dance talent in our 2026 Spring Performance Programme
Published February 24, 2026
Mapdance (Bike Bignell)
Our 2026 Spring Performance Programme is packed full of the hottest dance talent, with shows featuring gritty dance-theatre, athletic and fast-paced choreography, hip-hop and break-dancing, and opportunities to showcase performances by local dancers alongside the main event. Plus, two movement workshops designed for people of all experiences.
On Wed 25 Feb, mapdance 2026 brings together nine dancers and three newly commissioned works by renowned and upcoming contemporary choreographers Cathy Waller, Amy Morvell and Luca Silvestrini's (Protein Dance’s Artistic Director) dance response to Max Richter’s original work by the same title which features readings from 1948’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Plus, a restaging of Yukiko Masui’s contemporary take on Vivaldi - For Seasons - from 2024. The University of Chichester’s performance company is an established group of dynamic young dancers recruited nationally and internationally, and they have been busy working with students at the Exeter College Dance Academy today, co-creating their curtain raiser performance for the event.
Mapdance (Bike Bignell)
On Sat 28 Feb, in celebration of Salaam Salaam Theatre’s upcoming performance of I'm Muslamic Don't Panik, Devon-based professional dancer and choreographer, Maria Tarokh will be leading Persian Moves & Grooves: Dance & Choreography Workshop. Set to an eclectic, feel-good soundtrack that blends global beats and infectious grooves, this workshop promises high energy, creative expression, and good vibes only. Whether you’re a confident mover or just curious to try something new, this is your chance to move, connect, and celebrate culture through dance.
We asked Maria what people can hope to take away from participating in the workshop and attending the show. She told us:
'Joining the workshop is a way of getting a flavour of Persian culture and the themes in Bobak's show. Particularly hospitality which is a huge part of our culture. In Iran, dance often has a kind of cathartic purpose, we dance at funerals and weddings, in the street, at parties, at dinners - any excuse! So in the workshop we'll be bringing that spirit of release and using movement to find joy.'
Reflecting on why it is important to offer this free-to-attend workshop to the community, Bobak explained:
'We really wanted to offer a chance for people to get to know their local dancers, participate in a joyful couple of hours and start to get a flavour of the show. The need to come together and dance has never been stronger and typically Iranians are really great party starters! Bringing the joy to the room with an infectious style of social dance that is graceful and charismatic.'
On Tue 03 Mar, Bobak Champion takes us on his journey of self-discovery in I’m Muslamic don’t Panik, as he meets a whole cast of weird and wonderful characters - from women defiantly running the first (and last) ever Tehran marathon, to stumbling into an underground breakdance battle. Whilst the media frequently portray the Middle East as a frightening and dangerous place, Bobak shows us the positivity, joy, family and community that we rarely get to see, using a captivating mixture of live music, spoken word, break-dancing and comedy. Bobak will be joined onstage by Devon-based special guests, Sam 'BBoy Sheku' Phillips and Bboy Master Splinter, two of the most highly regarded and internationally renowned dancers currently active in the UK breaking scene.
Bobak told us:
'We've always made an effort to connect with and find local dancers wherever we go to make guest appearances in the show. Often digging into the underground hip-hop scene to reach out to dancers who sometimes get marginalised and overlooked. As a company we're keen to celebrate local dance communities in the areas we visit. Particularly in the hip-hop scene and Iranian diaspora. Some colleagues said "Bobak, isn't this risky, sharing the stage with dancers you've never even met" - but we've kept faith and so far it has been really amazing and keeps the show super unique and exciting each time.'
Bobak's beautiful story will have you laughing-out-loud and feeling full of hope. After the show, you can even enjoy a chat with your neighbours and the artists as we serve traditional Persian tea and date biscuits called Kolompeh. Read more about Bobak's wonderful work here.
I’m Muslamic don’t Panik (Oliver Parker)
On Sat 21 Mar, Christina Deinsberger (Complicité associate artist and co-founder of international theatre collective fish in a dress) will be leading a workshop called Movement Makes Story: Devising from a physical practice, which will include physical exercises to explore a devising practice, connecting the individual body to the collective to create an image, explore a dynamic, or tell a little story. For actors, directors and theatre non-professionals – all experience levels are welcome. This unique learning opportunity will be followed by an evening performance of their critically-acclaimed show The City for Incurable Women, which features integrated audio description.
Movement Makes Story
On Tue 31 Mar, JV2: Triple Bill presents an explosive young ensemble of 16 international dancers showcasing an exciting and energetic mix of inventive choreography and exceptional new talent, including three new works by Company associates Yunkyung Song & Vivian Triantafyllopoulou, and Artistic Director Jasmin Vardimon MBE. The Jasmin Vardimon Company has been a leading force in British dance theatre for over 25 years, building a reputation for challenging and visually arresting dance productions infused with social and political commentary.
Having developed a uniquely individual choreographic voice, distinguished by detailed movement, insightful humour, and engaging drama, Vardimon is renowned for her physical and theatrical style. Incorporating innovative technologies, text and dance, Vardimon's multi-award-winning work is accentuated with an acute observation of human behaviour, making it widely accessible and socially relevant. Our resident dance company Chhaya Youth will also be performing a curtain raiser, featuring new work by the young dancers.
JV2 (Bill Knight)
Emergency Chorus return to our stage on Mon 20 Apr - following their previous performance Landscape (1989) - with Ways of Knowing, a dance-theatre work that investigates the tools we use to predict and prophesy the future, from early meteorological devices to corporate trend forecasting and divination. Winner of the Untapped Award 2025, this Bristol-based live art collective has a reputation for creating highly unique collage-like performances of text, choreography, music and image, described as “Beguiling and enchanting work” by The Guardian. Prepare to be immersed in something truly different as you encounter a council of leeches, a mystic hermit, a Victorian inventor, an economics conference, and a dark and dripping cave!
Ways of Knowing (Jemima Yong)