Dance Consortium announces access initiatives for 2027 tour of São Paulo Dance Company’s Brazilian Perspectives

Dance Consortium is a group of 23 large-scale venues based across the UK and Ireland whose mission is to engage audiences with the best contemporary dance from across the world. Breaking down barriers to access is at the heart of the organisation’s remit, guided by its Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion policy and action plan.

From Monday 1 February to Saturday 27 March 2027, Dance Consortium is touring São Paulo Dance Company’s Brazilian Perspectives, a triple bill of work by three female choreographers. Leilane Teles and Lili de Grammont are giving the UK and Ireland premieres of Umbó and EST.AÇÃO, and Cassi Abranches brings back Agora, a huge hit when the company was here in 2024.

Access initiatives for the company’s much-anticipated return include pre-show Touch Tours and full audio description of the show delivered by Talking Theatre with BSL-interpreted post-show talks at some venues.

The Touch Tour led by Talking Theatre’s Caroline Burn is a 30-minute tactile experience which gives blind and partially sighted audience members the chance to go behind the scenes, get a sense of the size and scale of the space, explore the set and touch some of the elements used in the show. The tour offers a context and insight into the show intended to enhance the experience and enjoyment for audience members.

Joe Bates, Dance Consortium’s Chief Executive, says: “As part of our commitment to opening up dance to the widest possible audience Dance Consortium now offers audio description and touch tours as standard across all our tours. São Paulo Dance Company’s Brazilian Perspectives is the third Dance Consortium tour with an integrated access offer and we are pleased to see that the uptake from venues has increased with each tour. This programme is being delivered in partnership with Talking Theatre’s Caroline Burn who brings a huge amount of experience, knowledge and sensitivity to the way dance is presented and described.

Supporting the touring sector is a central part of Dance Consortium’s mission. We are currently working with our 23 member venues on an access audit to identify areas of success and improvement and our learnings will inform future initiatives across the membership. We are working together to break down as many barriers as possible so more people can access and enjoy the international dance we present.”

Caroline Burn from Talking Theatre says: “Dance Consortium is an organisation that believes in making its work fully accessible and I’m delighted to be working with them again. I’m proud that they’ve chosen me as audio describer for their tours and I’m looking forward to working with them and the venues on the São Paulo Dance Company tour.”

Brazilian Perspectives promises the bold Brazilian energy and fusion of athleticism, precision and emotional intensity for which São Paulo Dance Company is internationally acclaimed. https://danceconsortium.com/touring/sao-paulo-dance-company-2027/