My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Richard Alston Dance Company To Close In 2020

By:

Richard Alston Dance Company has announced today that its final tour will take place in 2019-2020. Richard Alston has been creating dance for over 50 years and his company has been resident at The Place for the past 24 years. In that time, Alston has played a major role in the world of contemporary dance, developing a unique and distinct dance language and shaping the art form in this country.

The company's current tour runs until spring 2019 including two nights at Sadler's Wells. It will tour in autumn 2019 including a special 'At Home' programme at The Place in celebration of the company's 25 years of work and its home's 50th anniversary. The company will tour for the last time in spring 2020 including a final Sadler's Wells season.

In addition to the training and development of outstanding dance artists and pioneering makers, The Place will continue its commitment to new work and this includes touring and producing the next generation of successful young artists, so that they too can benefit from the expertise and investment of the organisation.

Statement from Richard Alston, director of Richard Alston Dance Company
"The Place has been my home for almost fifty years and I am nothing but grateful for the invaluable support and encouragement I have received over that time. Now change is very much in the air and inevitably it is the turn of others - I accept that. The Place must embrace change if it is to thrive and I wish these younger artists well. Now I have to try and find new opportunities to make dance because I am not ready to stop. I still have dances in me and I feel strongly that mature artists are an important part of the dance ecology. There are not many of us!"

Statement from Claire Connor, Chief Executive, The Place
"Richard has been a part of The Place since the very beginning - he was one of the first students of London Contemporary Dance School under the leadership of Robin Howard and Robert Cohan, our Founders. Like all great leaders, Richard Alston is a lifelong learner and our link to that tradition of innovation and pioneering in contemporary dance. His utter devotion to his craft, dancers and the artist's voice permeate through everything we strive to do. Richard is part of the DNA of The Place and will remain a major influence for the next generation of artists who will undoubtedly follow his exemplary passion and workmanship.

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Book of a Musical - Top 3
1. David Hornsby, Chris Hoch, David Hornsby, Chris Hoch - The Lost Boys
27.9% of votes
2. Cinco Paul - Schmigadoon!
24.4% of votes
3. Jim Barne, Kit Buchan - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
24.2% of votes

Need more UK Regional Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


Michael Spicer - Hope All''s Well in UK Regional Michael Spicer - Hope All''s Well
Rock City (10/22-10/22)
Pinocchio: The Pantomime in UK Regional Pinocchio: The Pantomime
Whitby Pavilion Theatre (12/04-12/05)
Count Arthur Strong - And it''s Goodnight from Me! in UK Regional Count Arthur Strong - And it''s Goodnight from Me!
Theatre Royal Winchester (5/02-5/02)
AIRBAG at O2 Academy2 - Birmingham in UK Regional AIRBAG at O2 Academy2 - Birmingham
O2 Academy Birmingham (10/23-10/23)
ELEINE at The Underworld - London in UK Regional ELEINE at The Underworld - London
The Underworld (10/13-10/13)
ALLEGAEON x GOROD at O2 Institute 3 - Birmingham in UK Regional ALLEGAEON x GOROD at O2 Institute 3 - Birmingham
O2 Institute Birmingham (9/11-9/11)
Meet the Kids Show in UK Regional Meet the Kids Show
The Bridge House Theatre (6/02-6/13)
The Scarlet Pimpernel - Budleigh Salterton - period drama theatre in UK Regional The Scarlet Pimpernel - Budleigh Salterton - period drama theatre
Budleigh Salterton Public Hall (6/27-6/27)
G4 Christmas 2026 - Lichfield Cathedral in UK Regional G4 Christmas 2026 - Lichfield Cathedral
Lichfield Cathedral (11/20-11/20)
The Del Fuegos at The Lexington - London in UK Regional The Del Fuegos at The Lexington - London
The Lexington (6/20-6/20)