Insane in the Brain

Classics will always be classics but sometimes it’s great to see how different people perceive them. This is why updates are important, not only to keep the material fresh but also to keep the audience excited. It seems this is the case with a new interpretation of Ken Kesey’s cult book and the film of the same name, ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’.

‘Cuckoo’s Nest’ has been reworked into a sumptuous display of Hip-Hop dance moves, choreographed by the dance company, Bounce who have renamed the story, ‘Insane in the Brain’. The story was originally based on the rebellion of patients in a mental institution. In this instance, breakdance becomes a way of expressing freedom against the oppressive tyranny of Nurse Ratched, who rules the hospital with an iron fist.

Featuring a killer soundtrack from the likes of Missy Elliott and Cypress Hill, the show’s pulsating groove is tempered by the inclusion of film and multimedia sequences to create a show that is as enjoyable as a cool drink on a summer afternoon.

Bounce was formed in late 1997 by a group of Sweden’s leading street dancers who explore a dizzying array of dance styles all anchored in hip-hop. Bounce keep their audience on their toes through tap dancing and lindy hop, which have influenced the street dance of today.

Based in Stockholm, Bounce is a collective of seven core dancers, including Filmon Michael, former lindy hop world champion David Dalmo, Fredrik Rydman and Joe Jobe who trained at the Royal Swedish Ballet.

This should be a thrilling display of what the body can do, in terms of movement, and should be a fun, pleasurable evening.

Bounce’s ‘Insane in the Brain’ will be performed on Wed 27 Feb – 16 Mar 08 at the Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, London, WC2A. Adm: £10 - £34. Info: 0844 412 4322

By Diriye Osman

Now - 10 May
JUMP
A show that combines the energy of Tae-kwon-do and fast-paced acrobatics with sword fights and crosses them with a sit-com. Centred around an extraordinary Korean family, from the draconian grandfather and drunken uncle to karate chopping mother this hybrid piece has gathered critical acclaim for its wickedly observed kung-fu pastiches and perfectly timed slapstick comedy. Venue: Peacock Theatre, London. Adm: £10 - £34. Info: 0844 412 4322.

Sat 3 - 5 May
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF HIP HOP DANCE THEATRE
Celebrating its fifth birthday in 2008, Breakin' Convention is now firmly established as one of the most original hip hop dance theatre festivals in the world. Over the past four years it has received a wealth of critical acclaim from die hard hip hop aficionados and contemporary theatre enthusiasts alike. This three day festival features some of the world's finest poppers, lockers, house dancers, b-boys and b-girls. Venue: Peacock Theatre, London. Adm: £20 - £48, conc £12, £18 & £27. Info: 0844 412 4322.

Wed 7 May
WAYNE MCGREGOR RANDOM DANCE
ENTITY, a diptych of new works by McGregor, pitches the rhythmic energy of two Contemporary Classical String Quartets against the sonic extremes of Jon Hopkins melody-led electronica. Performed in Patrick Burnier's Linbury Award winning design environment and lit by the unrivalled magic of Lucy Carter's evocative imagination, ENTITY will be danced by extraordinary classically trained, hyper-limber bodies that devour McGregor's choreography at a cellular level. Venue: Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP11 2XE. 7.30pm. Adm: £7 - £17. Info: 01494 512000 / www.wycombeswan.co.uk/swandance

Wed 7 - 10 May
THE GREATEST HITS!
Since Michael Nunn and William Trevitt (The Ballet Boyz) formed their company in 2001 they have built up a formidable repertoire of 32 different works, created by some of the leading choreographers of our time. For The Greatest Hits! Nunn and Trevitt select favourites from the last seven years in an evening of award-winning dance treats including Maliphant's Broken Fall (Olivier Award 2004), Wheeldon's Mesmerics and new tango triumph Yumba vs. Nonino. Venue: Peacock Theatre, London. Adm: £10 - £35. Info: 0844 412 4322.

Fri 16 & 17 May
MYTH
A work for 21 performers and musicians which takes inspiration from Japanese manga and bunraku (puppet theatre) as well as medieval Italian music. In Myth the characters play out a series of scenarios in an intricate set reminiscent of a heavenly waiting room. They emerge from nooks and crannies to battle with their inner psyche and conscience, exploring issues such as alienation, faith and the darker side of their alter egos. Venue: Peacock Theatre, London. Adm: £10 - £35. Info: 0844 412 4322.

Tues 20 - 24 May
RAMBERT DANCE COMPANY
One of Britain's premier contemporary dance companies present several new works in collaboration with three celebrated choreographers. Siobhan Davies' endearing Carnival of the Animals has been re-invigorated and set to the beautiful and melodic music of Saint-Saëns' in a piece that sees her re-united with the company's dancers. American Doug Varone has been described as a 'craftsman' of irresistible intensity creating work laced with wit and emotional detail, his latest collaboration with Rambert is a London premiere. Finally, Andre Gingras' exuberant Anatomica #3 provides thought-provoking climax to this programme of work. Venue: Peacock Theatre, London. Adm: £10 - £38. Info: 0844 412 4322.

Wed 21 May - 22 Jun
HAVANA RAKATAN
Choreographer Nilda Guerra's acclaimed company Ballet Rakatan returns with flamboyant Cuban dance and infectious rhythms from a live Cuban band. Havana Rakatan demonstrates the wide range of Cuba's music and dance which stems from a fusion of Spanish culture and African spiritual beliefs. Flamenco, yoruba and Afro-Haitian rhythms, the sultry rumba and the slick footwork of the cha-cha-cha, give way to the modern forms of salsa which originated in the early twentieth century salon dances in this dazzling music and dance display of Cuban passion. Venue: Peacock Theatre, London. Adm: £15 - £40. Info: 0844 412 4322.

Tues 27 - 31 May
SUTRA
Celebrated Flemish/Moroccan dancer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui presents a brand new work inspired by the skill, strength and spirituality of Buddhist Shaolin monks. He has collaborated closely with Turner Prize winner Antony Gormley who creates a striking landscape for the performers, employing light to dramatic effect. Polish composer Szymon Brzóska creates a brand new score for percussion and strings. Venue: Sadler's Wells Theatre, Rosebery Street, London. Adm: £10 - £35. Info: 0844 412 4300 / www.sadlerswells.com

Fri 30 May - 6, 13 & 14 Jun
DICK WONG / SANG JIJIA / DANCE NOW EXCHANGE: CHINA/UK
The Lilian Baylis Theatre hosts three performances of work by eminent artists working in China today including Liu Qi is Deputy Artistic Director of Guangdong Contemporary Dance Company, the first professional modern dance company in mainland China. For Dance Now Exchange: China/UK (Fri 13 and Sat 14 June) she visits the UK to work with two young British East Asian dancers and choreographers; Anh Ngoc Nguyen (Random / Phoenix / Union Dance) and Jia Yu Chang (Marie Chouinard / Retina). Venue: Lilian Baylis Theatre, London. Adm: £12, conc £10. Info: 0844 412 4300 / www.sadlerswells.com

Tues 1 - 12 Jul
SABORES
Sara Baras is one of Spain's most celebrated flamenco dancers. Known for her brilliant footwork and entrancing stage presence, her shows capture perfectly all the emotion, drama and passion of traditional flamenco with a vibrant contemporary edge. The recipient of Spain's most prestigious dance award, the Premio Nacional de Danza, Baras is adored in her home country, making flamenco box office history with a record-breaking five-month run in Madrid. Venue: Lilian Baylis Theatre, London. Adm: £10 - £38. Info: 0844 412 4300 / www.sadlerswells.com

Tues 22 Jul - 31 Aug
WEST SIDE STORY
A vibrant new stage production of the classic dance musical with ground-breaking choreography by Jerome Robbins and an unforgettable score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story changed the face of musical theatre for ever. Packed with memorable songs including Maria, Tonight, Somewhere, America and I Feel Pretty, West Side Story has been described as "a masterpiece of musical theatre". Venue: Lilian Baylis Theatre, London. Adm: £10 - £60. Info: 0844 412 4300 / www.sadlerswells.com