Client
Southpaw Dance Company / Cultural Spring CCP
Location
St. Hilda’s colliery, South Shields
Client
Southpaw Dance Company / Cultural Spring CCP
Location
St. Hilda’s colliery, South Shields
Project Details
A Breathtaking Fusion of Dance, Projection, and Storytelling
Rush is a large-scale mass movement spectacle choreographed by Southpaw Dance Company and produced by Event International, featuring striking video and projection mapping by NOVAK. Premiering at St. Hilda’s Colliery, South Shields, on April 5, 2015, the performance captivated audiences with its powerful narrative and dynamic visuals. The piece follows three central figures—a zero-hours worker, a young mother, and a homeless individual—whose stories serve as a lens to explore the broader struggles faced by those in areas of low engagement. To complement and enhance the dance performances, NOVAK created bold, cinematic video sequences that intertwined seamlessly with the choreography, amplifying the emotional impact of the show.
Project Details
A Breathtaking Fusion of Dance, Projection, and Storytelling
Rush is a large-scale mass movement spectacle choreographed by Southpaw Dance Company and produced by Event International, featuring striking video and projection mapping by NOVAK. Premiering at St. Hilda’s Colliery, South Shields, on April 5, 2015, the performance captivated audiences with its powerful narrative and dynamic visuals. The piece follows three central figures—a zero-hours worker, a young mother, and a homeless individual—whose stories serve as a lens to explore the broader struggles faced by those in areas of low engagement. To complement and enhance the dance performances, NOVAK created bold, cinematic video sequences that intertwined seamlessly with the choreography, amplifying the emotional impact of the show.
The Brief
A Powerful Visual Language to Support the Narrative
Southpaw Dance Company sought a visual partner who could enhance Rush with large-scale projection mapping, helping to weave its themes into a striking, immersive experience. The challenge was to create video content that not only supported the storytelling but also held its own against the powerful physical performances. Working within a deliberately restrained black-and-white palette, NOVAK designed a series of visually arresting sequences that heightened the show’s drama and intensity. These projections served as both a storytelling device and an epic backdrop, ensuring the audience remained fully engaged with the unfolding narrative.
The Brief
A Powerful Visual Language to Support the Narrative
Southpaw Dance Company sought a visual partner who could enhance Rush with large-scale projection mapping, helping to weave its themes into a striking, immersive experience. The challenge was to create video content that not only supported the storytelling but also held its own against the powerful physical performances. Working within a deliberately restrained black-and-white palette, NOVAK designed a series of visually arresting sequences that heightened the show’s drama and intensity. These projections served as both a storytelling device and an epic backdrop, ensuring the audience remained fully engaged with the unfolding narrative.
Our Response
Seamless Integration of Creativity and Technical Expertise
Beyond crafting the visual content, NOVAK played a crucial role in delivering the technical aspects of the production. St. Hilda’s Colliery was an unconventional performance space, requiring careful planning and execution to achieve large-format video projection. NOVAK’s involvement included site surveys, acquiring the necessary equipment, creating projection templates, and overseeing the final projection mapping and content playback. By ensuring a fluid workflow between creative production and technical execution, NOVAK helped bring Rush to life as an immersive, visually stunning performance. Created in partnership with Cultural Spring CCP, Rush was designed as a site-responsive, touring show, making its impact felt beyond its premiere performance and continuing to engage audiences across multiple locations.
Our Response
Seamless Integration of Creativity and Technical Expertise
Beyond crafting the visual content, NOVAK played a crucial role in delivering the technical aspects of the production. St. Hilda’s Colliery was an unconventional performance space, requiring careful planning and execution to achieve large-format video projection. NOVAK’s involvement included site surveys, acquiring the necessary equipment, creating projection templates, and overseeing the final projection mapping and content playback. By ensuring a fluid workflow between creative production and technical execution, NOVAK helped bring Rush to life as an immersive, visually stunning performance. Created in partnership with Cultural Spring CCP, Rush was designed as a site-responsive, touring show, making its impact felt beyond its premiere performance and continuing to engage audiences across multiple locations.
“Novak helped us to realise the creative potential of Rush as a project and surpassed all expectations in terms of professionalism, artistic input, and end result. Adam and the team listened and reacted to my artistic vision for the piece, and produced a truly spectacular visual story-telling element integral to the delivery of Rush. We look forward to developing the collaborative relationship into new projects where Novak will always be our first port of call as an outstanding creative design studio.”
Robby Graham
Creative Director, Southpaw Dance Company
Credits
Promo clip by Darren O’ Kane
Artistic direction : Robby Graham
Choreography : Robby Graham & Benjamin Shepherd
Visuals and Projection Mapping : Novak
Producer : Event International
Assistant Producer
Katie Lodge
Cast – Ben Shepherd, Katie Webster, Rachel Birch, Nathan French, John Kendall, Catherine Muckle, with dancers from Sunderland College, Sunderland University, Mortimer Community College, Boldon Community Association, Customs Space, East Durham College, The Garage Urban Styles and freerunners from Apeuros
Writer
Ellen Phethean
Sound Recordist & Editing
Ed Carter
Production Management
DA Technical
Safety Management
DGB Events
Site Liaison
Snap to Black
Filmmaker
Darren ‘Jelly’ O Kane
Photographer
Dan Prince
Promo Clip
Ross Hannon
Publicity
Rob Lawson
With thanks to –
Emma Kernohan and all the students at Sunderland College
Kayleigh Gage and East Durham Creates
Tracy Hallway and the pupils of Mortimer College
Rachel Emms-Hobbins and all the students at Sunderland University
The Customs Space dancers
Boldon Community Association dancers
Meerkat Films
Made in Tyne and Wear
Ben Shepherd and Katie Webster
Commissioned by The Cultural Spring
With support from
South Tyneside Council and South Shields Business Works
Credits
Promo clip by Darren O’ Kane
Artistic direction : Robby Graham
Choreography : Robby Graham & Benjamin Shepherd
Visuals and Projection Mapping : Novak
Producer : Event International
Assistant Producer
Katie Lodge
Cast – Ben Shepherd, Katie Webster, Rachel Birch, Nathan French, John Kendall, Catherine Muckle, with dancers from Sunderland College, Sunderland University, Mortimer Community College, Boldon Community Association, Customs Space, East Durham College, The Garage Urban Styles and freerunners from Apeuros
Writer
Ellen Phethean
Sound Recordist & Editing
Ed Carter
Production Management
DA Technical
Safety Management
DGB Events
Site Liaison
Snap to Black
Filmmaker
Darren ‘Jelly’ O Kane
Photographer
Dan Prince
Promo Clip
Ross Hannon
Publicity
Rob Lawson
With thanks to –
Emma Kernohan and all the students at Sunderland College
Kayleigh Gage and East Durham Creates
Tracy Hallway and the pupils of Mortimer College
Rachel Emms-Hobbins and all the students at Sunderland University
The Customs Space dancers
Boldon Community Association dancers
Meerkat Films
Made in Tyne and Wear
Ben Shepherd and Katie Webster
Commissioned by The Cultural Spring
With support from
South Tyneside Council and South Shields Business Works
Other projects
Performance and Theatre
The Paddington Bear Experience
Immersive Visitor Attraction, London
Performance and Theatre
The Paddington Bear Experience
Immersive Visitor Attraction, London
Installation and Exhibition
The Book of Kells Experience
Digital Exhibition, Trinity College Dublin
Installation and Exhibition
The Book of Kells Experience
Digital Exhibition, Trinity College Dublin