PRIME are Dance Base’s resident dance performance company for dancers aged over 60 years old.
Created by Morag Deyes in 2015, PRIME was born from a desire to change the under-representation of older dancers on stage and to actively challenge stereotypes around ageing, ability, and who can be a dancer.
Since their creation PRIME have worked with some of the best choreographers in the UK to perform progressive and creative choreography which empowers dancers and audiences alike to explore their full potential in life and dance. They have toured nationally and internationally and participated in many festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Luminate and Singapore Silver Arts Festival. Most recently the company took part in an international collaboration with the Taiwanese dance company B.DANCE, touring a new performance piece across Scotland in May 2023 and presenting it at a 6-date run as part of the Dance Base Fringe Festival programme where they received reviews from The Guardian and The Scotsman. They were also featured in a short film by BBC Scotland!
The company are led by their Artistic Director Steinvor Palsson who took over the role from Dance Base’s previous Artistic Director Morag Deyes in 2022.
The company currently has 13 members aged between 65 and 80 years old – Annie Young, Christine Thynne, Diane Mitchell, Eleanor Morrison, Judy Adams, Karen Duignan, Marilyn Shiells, Moira Berry, Norma Turvill, Paul Burrows, Rosie Orr, Sara Cameron McBean & Tom Daniel.
If you have any questions or would like PRIME to perform at your festival or event please contact Kirsty Somerville, Head of Professional Programme, on Kirsty.Somerville@dancebase.co.uk
You can find full details on PRIME’s repertoire below:
Inhabitants by Robbie Synge
Toeing the Line? by Steinvor Palsson
Toeing the Line?, choreographed by PRIME’ Artistic Director Steinvor Palsson and set to music from the Concerti Grossi, op.3 by Handel, responds to our ever-changing times, shifting between set choreography and improvised movement phrases.
The Infinite Life Journey by B.DANCE & PRIME
A 20-minute performance work choreographed by Ming-Hsuan Liu from B.DANCE and the company in May 2023, based on B.DANCE’s award-winning production Floating Flowers, as part of a two year international and intergenerational exchange project between Taiwan and Scotland.
Abendsegen (Evening Prayer) by Steinvor Palsson
Abendsegen is in memory of Jill Knox, a treasured member of PRIME, who died in May of this year. The music is from Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera Hansel and Gretel and it is the prayer sung by the two children lost in the woods, before they go to sleep. The song describes how they will be protected by fourteen angels.
History Repeating by Jo Richards
With choreography by Jo Richards, History Repeating is a 5-minute joyous celebration of how music, fashion and dance continue to reinvent and influence the next generation. It was presented as part of Ageless at the Dance Base Fringe Festival in 2022.
RED by Liz Lea
In 2022, PRIME joined Australian dance maker Liz Lea in her show Red during the Dance Base Fringe Festival – a moving and energetic performance about wanting it all, and giving it all! The company performed on stage with Liz for 12 dates to critical acclaim.
Captured Soft by PRIME & Curious Seed
A film work by PRIME, created in collaboration with Christine Devaney, Lorna Simpson, Luke Sutherland and the PRIME members during 2020, that captures the themes of reflection, connection, togetherness, and the cycle of seasons and of life, all of which all felt more prominent and poignant that year.
Bonnie and her Splashmob by Bridie Gane
A synchronised-swimming-inspired flashmob that popped up across Edinburgh as part of Festival 2018 as part of the cultural programme for the Glasgow 2018 European Games. This delightful multi-generational Splashmob celebrated unity, diversity, floral bathing hats and bloomers and was hilarious dance fun for all the family.
Carry On Dancing by Steinvor Palsson
Carry On Dancing is set to the original recordings of memorable songs from the 20s and 30s sung by the legendary Marlene Dietrich and choreographed by Steinvor Palsson. This piece premiered at the 2016 Dance Base Fringe Festival, and was presented across Scotland in 2016 & 2017, including at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations.
Rolling in the Deep by Morag Deyes
A defiant statement of intent inspired by the sultry atmosphere of New Orleans, set to Adele’s modern classic and choreographed in the jazz dance style by Morag Deyes MBE. This was presented across Scotland in 2015.
Tarn by Angus Balbernie
Tarn, which was created by choreographer Angus Balbernie, is a reflection of the life experiences of the dancers, based around the writings of author and essayist Barry Lopez, who grapples with the idea that, to reach true adulthood, one must “accept responsibility for a life lived in the midst of such paradox”. The work was performed by the Dance Base Fringe Festival 2015 and in Singapore at the Silver Arts platform.
