Jeanefer Jean-Charles MBE was interviewed by JD Douglas for JDTV about her latest show Patois, which was performed at the National Theatre River Stage on London's South Bank as part of Greenwich+Docklands International Festival 2024.
As well as the London show, Patois toured to several locations during the festival with performances in Greenwich, Woolwich, Abbey Wood, and Stratford.
Jeanefer spoke to the channel about the inspiration behind the show.
This year's annual celebration of free outdoor dance on 7 September showcases a host of amazing outdoor spaces across Stratford – popping up in the Town Centre, Stratford Cross, East Bank and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
With stunning staging and a huge variety of dance styles, this year’s Dancing City showcases some exceptional homegrown and international talent.
Don't miss out on Patois at East Bank waterfront...
'a captivating piece which blends traditional Caribbean choreography with exhilarating contemporary dance'
And in the words of Neandra Etienne, 'a new show that takes a Caribbean dialect and explores hidden voices and stories from generations past. Jeanefer Jean-Charles MBE created the dance theatre work to celebrate her St Lucian heritage – coinciding with St Lucia’s first Olympic gold medal!'
Read Neandra Etienne's article here
Photo: Claire Leach
*Photo credit: Claire Leach
On Saturday 13 July, two of Jeanefer's shows will appear in an exciting outdoor double bill at London's South Bank. First off is Black Victorians from 2.15pm - 2.45pm followed by Jeanefer's new show Patois, from 5.45pm - 6.15pm.
It’s on at the National Theatre’s River Stage as part of Greenwich+Docklands International Festival 2024.
"Jeanefer's Black Victorians delves into the hidden history of black people in Victorian England, earning widespread acclaim for its compelling portrayal of this overlooked narrative. With Patois, Jeanefer Jean-Charles promises another immersive experience that challenges audiences to reflect on the significance of linguistic diversity in our world today" - Ralph Kennedy, Without Walls
For more information, visit River Stage 2024.
Location
National Theatre
South Bank, London SE1 9PX
Black Victorians is back for its 4th year of touring thanks to the support of producer FESTIVAL.ORG.
Inspired by nineteenth-century studio photographs of black men, women and children, Black Victorians explores a complex and often forgotten Black presence in pre-Windrush Britain.
★★★★ THE STAGE
SUN 2 JUN, 1.30PM - Taliesin Dance Days Festival (Swansea)
SAT 13 JUL, 2.15PM - National Theatre River Stage part of Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (London)
FRI 26 JUL - Latitude Festival (Suffolk) - Time to be confirmed
To find out more, visit the Black Victorians show page.
British-Caribbean choreographer Jeanefer Jean-Charles MBE reawakens the unwritten language of St.Lucian Patois, telling a story of culture, lost languages, longing and belonging. Of the movement of people across continents and the dialect which is at risk of being lost forever.
Blending captivating traditional folk dance with exhilarating contemporary choreography and an original musical score, Patois celebrates cultures, stories and generations of the past.
Without Walls,
Ralph Kennedy
SUN 12 MAY, 11.30AM & 2PM - NORFOLK & NORWICH FESTIVAL (Norwich)
SAT 18 & SUN 19 MAY, 1PM & 3.15PM - BRIGHTON FESTIVAL (Brighton)
SAT 6 JUL, 4PM & 6.15PM - HAT FAIR (Winchester)
SAT 13 JUL, 5.45PM - NATIONAL THEATRE RIVER STAGE (South Bank, London) - Hosted by Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF)
SAT 24 AUG, 1PM & 3.30PM - GREENWICH+DOCKLANDS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL (GDIF) (Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich)
THURS 29 AUG, 1PM & 3.30PM - GREENWICH+DOCKLANDS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL (GDIF) (General Gordon Square, Woolwich)
SUN 1 SEPT, 1PM & 3.30PM - GREENWICH+DOCKLANDS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL (GDIF) (Abbey Wood Park Playground, Abbey Wood)
SAT 7 SEPT, 2.45PM & 5PM - GREENWICH+DOCKLANDS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL (GDIF) - as part of Dancing City (Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, BBC Waterfront, Stratford)
SAT 12 OCT, 1PM & 3PM - BELL SQUARE 2024 (Hounslow High Street, London)
Choreographer: Jeanefer Jean-Charles MBE
Producer: Alison Holder
Composer: Danilo DJ Walde
Designer: Marsha Roddy
Dramaturg: Hassan Mahamdallie
Creative Consultant: Martha Stylianou
Rehearsal Director: Cherilyn Albert
St.Lucia & Patois Consultant: Pearl Jordan
Stage Manager: Cynthia Chika Franklin
Saint Lucian Voices: Auntie Jane, Uncle John, Mr Remy
Songwriter & Vocalist: Lorna Jean-Charles
Costume Assistant: Yunhye Choi
Runner: Lauren Schofield
Creative Dance Artists: Melissa Bravo, Dani Harris-Walter, Oluwaseun Olayiwola, Nosiphiwo Samente, Duja Sinada, David Bennie
Photo credit: Claire Leach
Patois is supported by Without Walls and commissioned by Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF), Norfolk & Norwich Festival and Brighton Festival.
Black Victorians is back for its 3rd year of touring this summer thanks to the support of FESTIVAL.ORG. And this year, as well as some UK dates, we have some International dates in Aveiro (Portugal) and Antwerp (Belgium).
We are thrilled to be extending the cast of Black Victorians in Summer 2023 with new dancers Rudzani Moleya and Stefano Addea who will join the original cast on some of the Tour Dates.
2023 TOUR DATES
FRI 14 JUL - SUN 16 JUL - Festival Dos Canais (Portugal)
THURS 27 JUL - SUN 30 JUL – Gratis Festival (Antwerp)
SAT 12 AUG – Kensington + Chelsea Festival (Kensington, London)
FRI 29 SEPT – SUN 1 OCT – Bournemouth Arts By The Sea Festival Bournemouth, Dorset) - More info to come, please check the website.
Watch This Space For More Dates Coming Soon.