Lost Dog Presents JULIET and ROMEO: A GUIDE TO LONG LIFE and HAPPY MARRIAGE

Writer/actor/dancer Ben Duke turns his attention to love and marriage in Lost Dog's new production which performs in London in February and March and around the UK next autumn. Joining Ben in his ruminations on what would have happened to Romeo and Juliet if they'd lived is dancer Solène Weinachter.

LOST DOG, run by Artistic Director Ben Duke, is currently working on a new production for 2018: Juliet and Romeo - A Guide to Long Life and Happy Marriage, broadly based on Shakespeare's deeply pessimistic teenage love story, is performed by Ben Duke and Solène Weinachter.

Opening at Battersea Arts Centre on Valentine's Day, February 14th, this 21st century version of the world's most tragic romance explores contemporary culture's celebration of youth and how it creates unrealistic expectations around love, sex and relationships.

In this intelligent and often comedic interpretation of the story, Juliet and Romeo have somehow survived into middle age; living together they wonder how they got here and what they managed to lose along the way.

The work explores the rougher edges of honesty in relationships, the sometimes humbling shared humanity and how on earth anyone progresses from there. Combining dance, comedy, contemporary text and theatre, this captivating show is a humorous and heartfelt investigation into love, loss and longevity.

For more information visit http://lostdogdance.co.uk/productions/juliet-and-romeos-guide-to-long-life-and-happy-marriage.

LOST DOG's most recent one-man show, Paradise Lost (Lies Unopened Beside Me) won Ben Duke huge critical acclaim, the 2016 National Dance Critics' Circle Award for Outstanding Male Performance and was nominated for the 2016 South Bank Sky Arts Award for Dance. Paradise Lost was described as "a virtuoso tour-de-force" by the Stage and Ben has taken the show to far flung parts of the UK since its premiere at Battersea Arts Centre in 2015.

Ben recently made 'GOAT' for Rambert. Darkly funny and deeply moving, it dissects the pleasure and pain of performing. The work is inspired by the music and spirit of Nina Simone, with a selection of her best-loved songs performed live on stage by jazz singer Nia Lynn.

LOST DOG was formed in 2004 by Ben Duke and Raquel Meseguer to create work using text, movement and music in which dance is framed by stories and characters. The company's first work, Pave up Paradise, won 1st prize at the Burgos International Choreography competition, 2nd prize at the Hanover choreography competition,). In 2005 The Drowner received a Bonnie Bird UK New Choreographers' Award. Lost Dog has also created Hungry Ghosts, (2007-2008); The Rain Parade (2009); Salvage (2010) and in 2011 won The Bloomberg Place Prize for Dance with It Needs Horses. More recent work includes Home for Broken Turns (2012), Like Rabbits, made in collaboration with writer Lucy Kirkwood (2014) and the prize winning hit show Paradise Lost (lies unopened besides me) (2015-2018).

Ben Duke trained at Guildford School of Acting, the London Contemporary Dance School and has a first class degree in English Literature from Newcastle University. His work explores the overlap and transition between Dance and Theatre. Ben is a Work Place artist, was Associate Artist at South East Dance 2012- 14 and was the recipient of the Bonnie Bird New Choreography Award 2011.

Paradise Lost (lies unopened beside me) won the 2016 National Dance Award for Outstanding Male Performance, the 2017 Rural Touring Award for the most innovative and inspirational show, and was shortlisted for a South Bank Sky Arts Award.

As well as his work for Lost Dog, Ben has directed and choreographed works for other companies including Rambert (Goat), Barely Methodical Troupe (Kin), Scottish Dance Theatre (The Life and Times of Girl A), Dance Umbrella (The Difference Engine), Phoenix Dance Theatre (Pave up Paradise).

He has performed with Probe, Hofesh Shechter Company, The Gate Theatre, The National Theatre of Scotland, Glyndebourne Opera and Punchdrunk.

Born in France, Solène Weinachter trained in the regional conservatoire of Lyon and then pursued her training at London Contemporary Dance School where she obtained a BA(Hons) and an MA in contemporary dance and performance.

Solène has worked with a wide range of dance and physical theatre companies in Europe including: Scottish Dance Theatre, Lost Dog, Gecko Theatre Company, Troubleyn and most recently Vera Tussing Projects. She is also a founding member of Collective Endeavours, a Glasgow-based music and dance improvisation collective.