Darcey Bussell, Tom Daley & David Walliams Named Patrons of Matthew Bourne's Charity RE:BOURNE

Founded in 2008 Re:Bourne invests in the future of dance and is a crucial mechanism for finding and nurturing the next generation of dancers, choreographers and audiences. The charity has grown significantly in recent years delivering workshops, projects and productions across the UK and around the world.

In 2014 the charity toured a ground-breaking dance-theatre adaptation of William Golding's iconic novel "Lord of the Flies". The production brought together adult dancers from the New Adventures company with young people new to dance in a project never before mounted on the large-scale touring network. The production played to an audience of over 70,000 and engaged over 8,000 young people from the Isle of Skye to the Isle of Scilly.

Re:Bourne's activity continues to grow at exponential rates with new projects and productions planned in the coming years to engage more young people and audiences in dance.

On Friday 27 November 2015 Tom Daley joined Matthew Bourne at the Aquatics Centre in London at UFEST (www.ufestldn.com) to support "TIDAL", a new-work by an all-boys dance group founded by members of the Sadler's Wells "Lord of the Flies" Young Ensemble. This new work was performed in the iconic setting of a drained-out pool in front of hundreds of young dancers and their families. "TIDAL" was choreographed by New Adventures & Re:Bourne Resident Artists Kerry Biggin and Lee Smikle and Shaun Dillon of Dillon Dance.

Matthew Bourne said today: "I am very grateful that Darcey, Tom and David have accepted my invitation to become the first patrons of my charity. They are all inspiring and much loved figures who are undoubted role models for young people in the UK today. Darcey is the most admired dancer of her generation, now known nationally for her role as a judge on "Strictly Come Dancing". Tom is one of the most visible and successful athletes in the country; an Olympic hero who has single handedly put diving on the map and David, as well as being one of the most popular comedians and actors of the last decade, is also the country's top selling children's author. They have all been regular faces at New Adventures performances and I'm now delighted to have their support in the development and growth of my work with Re:Bourne."

James Mackenzie-Blackman, Executive Director of Re:Bourne said today: "Young people tell us that role models are hugely important to inspiring their participation in the arts. We are thrilled that Darcey, Tom and David have agreed to be our patrons and look forward to welcoming them to our projects and productions in the future."

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