Sneak peek: In rehearsal for WONDROUS STORIES as part of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

You’d have to have been living under a rock not to know that the Commonwealth Games is due to take place in Birmingham in 2022!

If you live anywhere near The Midlands, you’ll also know that there are various ways that the city is being celebrated for this occasion.

One of these is through dance and we were lucky enough to be invited into rehearsals of Wondrous Stories, which is due to open the Birmingham 2022 festival. Taking part alongside world renowned professional dance-circus company Motionhouse will be performance groups Freewheelers, Letterbox and Critical Mass. These groups are made up of a diverse mix of people from the city. All ages, races, cultures, genders and abilities (visible and non-visible) are represented here.

Directed by Kevin Finnan and with associate choreography by Sonia Sabri and Jamaal Burkmar, Wondrous Stories is approximately 45 minutes long and has over 300 people involved in both its production and performance.

Sonia explained to us that her piece was put together to celebrate people’s stories and how important it is that we hear them, inclusive of the celebrations, hardships and luxuries of the world. It represents the vibrant community of the city, bringing all types of people together using dance to transcend language and bond them together without using pigeon holes or labelling. Kathak trained dancer, Sonia, wanted to bring the traditional Indian sub-continent folk dance to people without experience, but with a passion to be involved. Birmingham is an inclusive and integrated community and this festival is a fantastic opportunity to splash that around on a Commonwealth platform to an audience of thousands.

It is hugely important for the city and the arts to find undiscovered talent and to inspire the next generation from all their different backgrounds. To recognise that dance is accessible and not just for the privileged and to heal from lockdown and to be better than we were pre-pandemic.

The rehearsal room is filled with energy and excitement as everyone comes together to run through their part, one piece is in a Busby Berkeley style with performers moving in groups, making shapes and interspersing between and through each other to create patterns.  There is a feeling of anticipation in the run up to their upcoming performance and everyone is so welcoming, we almost feel a part of this project too!

Speaking to Angel and Katie from the Critical Mass group, they explained how this experience has been for them. They both agreed that they had made new friends who were as close as family to them and that they look out for each other and have a great team.  Angel added that she was grateful for the new opportunity to explore and lay down the foundations for life and what is hopefully her career path.  Daisy, part of the Freewheelers group, said that she had enjoyed working with able bodied people again and is excited to be working with Motionhouse, whose work she admires.

It’s clear that the festival has created new families and friendships and been a positive experience for everyone involved, defining what Birmingham is as a city and representing it in a way nothing else could.

Check out the performance of Wondrous Stories in Birmingham’s Centenary Square between 17-20 March.

For more details on the project and Motionhouse’s involvement, please click here.