Lloyd Newson has led DV8 Physical Theatre since its inception in 1986. His work straddles dance, text, theatre and film, focusing on social, psychological and political issues. Born in Australia, Newson graduated from Melbourne University having studied psychology and social work. During that time, he developed an interested in dance, a fascination that brought him to the UK where he gained a full scholarship to study at London Contemporary Dance School. Before forming his own company (DV8) he danced and/or choreographed with many companies including the Modern Dance Ensemble (Melbourne), Impulse Dance Theatre/New Zealand Ballet Company, One Extra Dance Theatre (Sydney) and Extemporary Dance Theatre (London).
Newson’s work, be it for stage or film, has won over 50 national and international awards including 3 Prix Italia and an Emmy. His company toured internationally for 30 years throughout Britain, Europe, America, Asia and Australia. He has received commissions to make work from such organisations such as the Arts Council of Great Britain, the Royal National Theatre (London), RomaEuropa (Rome), Theatre de La Ville (Paris), Onassis Foundation (Athens), Sydney Olympics Festival (2000), as well as the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 Television.
During the last decade of his work Newson focused on the relationship between verbatim text and movement. He has been cited by the Critics’ Circle as being one of the hundred most influential artists working in Britain during the last hundred years, was awarded an honorary degree from Roehampton University and received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) from Her Majesty the Queen for his services to the Arts.
13.04.2014
