Arthur Pita's THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL to Premiere at DanceEast, 12-24 Dec

THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL Arthur Pita's magical family show premieres at DanceEast for Christmas 12 - 24 December 2013 DanceEast, The Jerwood DanceHouse, Ipswich Award-winning director & choreographer Arthur Pita premieres his new dance theatre show The Little Match Girl at DanceEast, Ipswich this Christmas, from Thursday 12 to Tuesday 24 December. A dance theatre adaptation after Hans Christian Anderson's classic story, The Little Match Girl presents a magical festive treat for all ages 4 and above.

Arthur Pita's new production tells the touching tale of an impoverished young street girl's hopes and dreams, beautifully told through dance, song and original live music.

A snowy stage sets the scene for an icy cold Christmas eve, where the little match girl paces the emptying streets trying to sell her matches. Cold, hungry and with just one final match flame to keep her warm, she sees a vision of her beloved grandmother. Leaving her troubled life behind, the little match girl is guided up into the night sky by her grandmother who takes her to the moon. Now, on a clear night, if you look closely, you might see the light of a shooting star, or is it a match burning brightly?

Arthur Pita (previously Associate Artist at The Place) has choreographed work for major international companies from the LA Opera to the Johannesburg's Dance Umbrella and in the UK from the Royal Shakespeare Company to Phoenix Dance. His multi award-winning adaptation of Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis has attracted critical acclaim since its premiere at the Royal Opera House in September 2011; winning Olivier, Southbank Sky Arts and Critics Circle National Dance Awards and has just enjoyed a sell-out run at the Joyce Theatre in New York this autumn.

Arthur Pita returns to DanceEast following his sell-out success with God's Garden in 2011. For The Little Match Girl, he is reunited with The Metamorphosis composer Frank Moon, who will perform his original score live on stage, with designs by Yann Seabra and lighting designs by Ed Yetton. Cast includes: Corey Annand, Valentina Golfieri, Kip Johnson, Frank Moon and Angelo Smimmo.

Open Heart Productions and DanceEast present The Little Match Girl with funding by Arts Council England. The production is set to tour in the spring of 2014, dates soon to be announced.