OLD is set to meet new as international dance-circus company Motionhouse settles into its new home at Leamington’s historic town hall.
The venue’s assembly hall will provide a fully equipped rehearsal space and new performance studio.
Renowned for its integration of digital and live performance, Motionhouse secured capital investment from Arts Council England to create a fully equipped studio in its previous rehearsal space at the Vitsœ site in Leamington. And now the equipment has moved with Motionhouse, to its new creative space in the town centre.
The installation is free-standing and does not impact the fabric of the Grade II listed building.
Motionhouse executive director Louise Richards says it blends cutting edge technology with Victorian architecture.
She told the Observer: “We are delighted to be moving into the town hall and to be part of the vision to make the building a creative focal point as part of the new creative framework and the planned Creative Quarter. The Assembly Hall provides the perfect space to create our work in to take to audiences across the world. But importantly, the space has the major advantage of bringing us into the town – it is a place where we can share our work and our creativity with local people.”
The move was also welcomed by Stephanie Kerr, Executive Director of BID Leamington.
She said: “The creation of a rehearsal space for Motionhouse in the town hall is exciting. As well as bringing economic benefits from having dancers and staff working in and visiting the town, it breathes creative energy into this beautiful property. Taking on a space in the town hall, may also encourage other creative companies to consider working in the heart of the town. Importantly, it also demonstrates that Leamington is a town that supports and values creativity and understands the positive role that the creative industries play in people’s lives.”
Warwick District Council arts manager David Guilding added the move supported the recovery of the creative industry during ‘challenging times’ and helped recognise the contribution of the creative sector to the district.
Leamington mayor Susan Rasmussen has named the company as one of her mayoral charities of the year. She said: “I hope that by being in the centre of town they will become an even more central part of the cultural life of our town. We are indeed privileged to have outstanding artists living and working in our midst and I want as many people as possible to join me in supporting them this coming year.”
