A new era for dance in the South West begins this January with the launch of The Mount Without’s new theatre for dance, curated by the team at IMPERMANENCE.
Launching with a week of extraordinary performances and community events at the heart of Bristol and with Academy and BAFTA-award winner Mark Rylance as its patron, the new theatre promises to become a cornerstone of the city’s creative scene. Tickets are now on sale for the opening shows at: www.impermanence.co.uk/whats-on.
The theatre’s opening will begin with PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS on the 24th & 25th January, a triple bill of dance featuring multi-award winning choreographers Mark Bruce and Seeta Patel as well as work from IMPERMANENCE. These evenings will conclude with thought-provoking panel discussions on the future of dance and the pivotal role of this new venue in supporting the sector.
On Sunday 26 January, the stage will be shared with the community through an Open House Community Dance Event, where local groups, children and enthusiasts will have the chance to perform, celebrating inclusivity and connection. The week’s centrepiece is Ben Duke’s Paradise Lost, an iconic production of dance theatre that will run from Tuesday 28 – Thursday 30 January, offering audiences a rare chance to see this critically-acclaimed work, performed by the artistic director and co-founder of Lost Dog, Ben Duke himself.
Tickets for the launch events, including PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS and Paradise Lost, are now available and the team is hopeful for sell-out audiences. “With your support, we can make The Mount Without a beacon for world-class performance and a home for local talent,” said Co-Director Roseanna Anderson.
Joshua Ben-Tovim, Co-Director of IMPERMANENCE, described the launch as “an incredible opportunity to celebrate the power of dance in a space that fuses historic grandeur with contemporary artistry. The Mount Without is more than a venue; it’s a home for creativity and community.”
Actor, playwright, theatre director and patron of IMPERMANCE, Sir Mark Rylance, said: “This is set to be a wonderful new dance centre for Bristol. I fell in love with Josh and Roseanna’s enormous power of goodness when we met and I’ve now come on board as a patron - so I urge you to support this fantastic cause and I look forward to seeing you at the theatre at some point in the very near future.”
IMPERMANENCE, which was established in 2011 and gained charitable status in 2023, has raised over £125,000 to date to install state-of-the-art seating and a sprung stage. With just £40,000 left to secure, a Crowdfunder is live to help complete the project ahead of its January debut. Supporters are invited to contribute and choose from exclusive rewards, including limited-edition prints, T-shirts and the opportunity to have their names displayed in the theatre – particularly ideal for the many couples who have tied the knot in the venue since its opening.
IMPERMANENCE have been involved in the restoration of The Mount Without since new owner Norman Routledge took the project on in 2021. The company has a 25 year lease of the building, which operates an innovative arts commercial hybrid model with the in-house events team hiring the space for weddings, concerts and parties.
Since the building reopened its doors just after the pandemic, IMPERMANENCE has presented work by over 30 choreographers, hosted community initiatives and engaged with audiences from across Bristol. The launch of The Mount Without as a fully fledged theatre marks a bold new chapter in this journey, aiming to establish the space as one of the UK’s most breathtaking venues for dance and performance.
To book tickets to IMPERMANENCE shows, or to support the Crowdfunder, visit www.impermanence.co.uk/whats-on.
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