An extract of Jeanefer Jean-Charles's Black Victorians will air on BBC Four and BBC Two Wales at 8pm this Sunday (3rd November) as part of Dance Passion Swansea.

Inspired by 19th century photographs of pre-Windrush Britain, Black Victorians calls attention to previously hidden figures and has inspired tens of thousands of audiences since it was commissioned by Festival.org and premiered at Greenwich+Docklands Festival (GDIF) in 2019.

Black Victorians is produced and co-commissioned by FESTIVAL.ORG, Brighton Festival, Hatfair and Without Walls and is currently touring across the UK.

For more information and bookings, please visit the Black Victorians page.

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.

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 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!' - Neandra Etienne, Newham Voices

Photo: Claire Leach

*Photo credit: Claire Leach

Fred Waine from Unhinged Music joined Jeanefer Jean-Charles MBE for her performance of Patois at Brighton Festival in May 2024.

He wrote:

"Along with a sizeable audience seated on the floor and benches on Brighton’s pedestrian boardwalk, opposite the Victorian-era Metropole Hotel, I find myself before a low stage, adorned only with a pair of flags and several stacks of tartan suitcases, all coloured in vivid blue, yellow and black. The sense of removal to an exotic destination is therefore present even before the five-strong dance troupe emerge through the crowd, announcing that ‘we’re off to Saint Lucia’, the eastern Caribbean island whose national colours are represented onstage. The dancers’ cheery, childlike tone, exaggerated movement and breaking of the fourth wall contrast the serious, academic tenor that the piece’s title and description might have suggested (and delight the numerous families in the audience).

Read the full review here.

*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

Get directions

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

2024 TOUR DATES

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.

Jeanefer Jean-Charles MBE (Eurovision 2023, London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant) has been appointed Visiting Professor at Middlesex University in the faculty of arts and creative industries. 

To kick-start her relationship with Middlesex University, Jeanefer rehearsed her new show Patois at the University’s studios with support from Middlesex University's Senior Lecturer in Dance and Professional Practice, Dr Helen Kindred.

Patois - which celebrates St. Lucian Patois - a language Jeanefer grew up with, understands, but rarely speaks, has already delighted audiences in their hundreds at Norfolk & Norwich Festival where the show premiered, and at the Brighton Festival last month (May 2024).

Blending captivating traditional Caribbean choreography with exhilarating contemporary dance and an original music score with a Caribbean flavour, Patois reawakens cultures, stories and generations of the past.

To find out more, visit the Patois show page.

As a globally respected Creative Director and Producer with a passion for nurturing and developing creative talent, Jeanefer Jean-Charles MBE has trained and mentored teachers, artists and producers for over 20 years.

Find out more about Jeanefer Jean-Charles MBE

Two performances of Black Victorians will be take place at the British Museum on 4 November 2023, one at 1:30pm to 2:05pm and another at 3:30pm to 4:05pm.

Black Victorians by Creative Director and Producer Jeanefer Jean-Charles MBE is inspired by nineteenth century studio photographs of black men, women and children.

Exploring a complex, but often forgotten black presence in pre-Windrush Britain, this performance calls attention to previously hidden figures and challenges historical and contemporary perceptions.

Picture dancers dressed in restrictive Victorian costumes, shedding them in rebellion as they dance in African, contemporary and hip-hop styles re-imagining a moment in history.

This is an opportunity to experience history as told through choreography.

Creative Director and Producer Jeanefer Jean-Charles MBE is a globally respected creative artist. Since starting her journey as Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Bullies Ballerinas Jazz Dance Company, her work has taken her to over 21 countries and has gone down in the Guinness Book of Records. Her unique creative process aims to bring to life the talents, strengths and shared stories of local communities and artists in inspiring and unforgettable ways.

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.

• FESTIVAL.ORG is one of the UK’s leading outdoor arts producing organisations. Collaborating with artists and arts organisations around the world to create extraordinary productions, they commission, re-imagine, produce and showcase a growing repertory of work that brings public spaces to life and is engaging and inspiring large, diverse audiences.

• Beyond the flagship Greenwich+Docklands International Festival, FESTIVAL.ORG’s year-round programme encompasses Global Streets, a national touring programme that through a distinctive free programme of international outdoor arts is transforming communities in 10 English towns and cities in some of the least-arts engaged areas the country. FESTIVAL.ORG is also a founding member of the Without Walls and Stomping Ground commissioning consortia.

Produced by Jeanefer Jean-Charles & Associates and Northern Town

The People's Flag, a brand new, mass participation film, led by Mass Movement Director Jeanefer Jean-Charles MBE and local choreographers Lisi Perry and Grace Goulding presents an unforgettable moment in Liverpool’s history with over 1,000 people from local communities coming together to create a unique, warm welcome to all Eurovision-comers in the centre of Liverpool.

For more information visit the EuroFestival website.

Do you want to be part of the EuroFestival celebrations in Liverpool?

Do you want to be part of our cast in a mass participation film?

Are you available on the 1st May?

If so, we’d love you to join us for this large scale community project, a mass movement film to welcome the world to Liverpool in the run up to Eurovision. 

This powerful spectacle will be led by Mass Movement Director Jeanefer Jean-Charles MBE with local choreographers Lisi Perry and Grace Goulding. It will be filmed by Northern Town production company. 

This opportunity is open to individuals aged 18+

No experience necessary.

Come and get involved!

How can I get involved as an individual?

Applications are now CLOSED.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO APPLIED TO BE PART OF OUR FILM TO WELCOME THE WORLD TO LIVERPOOL IN THE RUN UP TO EUROVISION. 

FAQ's

Do I need to be a performer? 

Absolutely not! You just need enthusiasm, community spirit and be available for the rehearsals & filming! 

Where will the film appear? 

The film will be shown on Culture Liverpool’s digital platforms as part of the Eurovision welcome. Given the scale of the project, it also has the potential to engage national press and/or Eurovision coverage.

Do participants get paid? 

No, this is a voluntary project bringing the community together for a very special celebration. 

Can people under 11 get involved? 

Unfortunately not. Our age range is 11+ to ensure that everyone taking part can meet the demands of the filming day and the logistical requirements of mass movement. 

Those aged 11-17 must participate with a Community Group and have appropriate permissions and chaperones.

Can friends & family come along to watch? 

This is a mass movement film. This involves specific camera equipment and filming logistics such as drones and a cordoned off performance space. There won’t be a live audience for the filming day, but as soon as the film is released you can share it anywhere you like!

What is mass movement?

Mass movement is a large group of people coming together as an ensemble to move and create imagery. It’s most often seen at opening ceremonies like the Olympics or the Jubilee celebrations.