John Ashford
Encyclopedia
John Ashford is a contemporary dance
producer, Director of Aerowaves, the European network for research and presentation of emerging dance companies which he founded in 1997.
John Ashford was the first theatre editor at Time Out. He subsequently became Manager of the Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court Theatre
, at a time when it was producing the early plays of Sam Shepard
and Caryl Churchill
, and Richard O'Brien
’s Rocky Horror Show. He was then appointed Director of the Theatre at the ICA
, promoting seasons of experimental theatre, performance work and new rock bands. In 1985 he brought the Canadian dance company La La La Human Steps
to London.
As Theatre Director of The Place
in London
from 1986-2009, Ashford was instrumental in the growth of contemporary dance's popularity in the UK . He established the theatre as Britain’s busiest dance venue, promoting the early works of companies including DV8
, Adventures in Motion Pictures and Wayne McGregor Random Dance, and presenting the first UK performances from international artists such as Wim Vandekeybus
, Sasha Waltz
and Rui Horta. In 2004 he created The Place Prize
, a biennial choreography competition which is the richest and most prestigious in UK dance.
In 2002 Ashford was awarded a CBE
for services to dance.
Contemporary dance
Contemporary dance is a genre of concert dance that employs compositional philosophy, rather than choreography, to guide unchoreographed movement...
producer, Director of Aerowaves, the European network for research and presentation of emerging dance companies which he founded in 1997.
John Ashford was the first theatre editor at Time Out. He subsequently became Manager of the Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court Theatre
Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is a non-commercial theatre on Sloane Square, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is noted for its contributions to modern theatre...
, at a time when it was producing the early plays of Sam Shepard
Sam Shepard
Sam Shepard is an American playwright, actor, and television and film director. He is the author of several books of short stories, essays, and memoirs, and received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1979 for his play Buried Child...
and Caryl Churchill
Caryl Churchill
Caryl Churchill is an English dramatist known for her use of non-naturalistic techniques and feminist themes, the abuses of power, and sexual politics. She is acknowledged as a major playwright in the English language and a leading female writer...
, and Richard O'Brien
Richard O'Brien
Richard Timothy Smith , better known under his stage name Richard O'Brien, is an English writer, actor, television presenter and theatre performer. He is perhaps best known for writing the cult musical The Rocky Horror Show and for his role in presenting the popular TV show The Crystal Maze...
’s Rocky Horror Show. He was then appointed Director of the Theatre at the ICA
Institute of Contemporary Arts
The Institute of Contemporary Arts is an artistic and cultural centre on The Mall in London, just off Trafalgar Square. It is located within Nash House, part of Carlton House Terrace, near the Duke of York Steps and Admiralty Arch...
, promoting seasons of experimental theatre, performance work and new rock bands. In 1985 he brought the Canadian dance company La La La Human Steps
La La La Human Steps
La La La Human Steps is a Québécois contemporary dance group in Canada, known for its energetic, acrobatic style that often involves fast-paced and athletic physical contact...
to London.
As Theatre Director of The Place
The Place
The Place is a dance and performance centre in Duke's Road near Euston in the London Borough of Camden. Originally the home base of the London Contemporary Dance Theatre from the 1970s, it is now the location of the London Contemporary Dance School, the Richard Alston Dance Company and the Robin...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
from 1986-2009, Ashford was instrumental in the growth of contemporary dance's popularity in the UK . He established the theatre as Britain’s busiest dance venue, promoting the early works of companies including DV8
DV8
DV8 is a comic book published by Wildstorm. The series revolves around the lives of a group of Gen-Active people , initially living in New York under the supervision of Ivana Baiul, who sends them on life-threatening black ops assignments.-Publication history:The series lasted 32 issues, and was a...
, Adventures in Motion Pictures and Wayne McGregor Random Dance, and presenting the first UK performances from international artists such as Wim Vandekeybus
Wim Vandekeybus
Wim Vandekeybus is a Belgian choreographer, dancer, film director and actor. His dance company is based in Brussels, and is called Ultima Vez. He directed several shows, since his first piece in 1987, What The Body Does Not Remember...
, Sasha Waltz
Sasha Waltz
Sasha Alexandra Waltz is a German choreographer, dancer and leader of the dance company Sasha Waltz and Guests.- Biography :...
and Rui Horta. In 2004 he created The Place Prize
The Place Prize
The Place Prize is a prestigious contemporary dance award, given to the winner of a biennial choreography competition organised by The Place in London.The Place Prize was created in 2004 and has been sponsored by Bloomberg since its inception...
, a biennial choreography competition which is the richest and most prestigious in UK dance.
In 2002 Ashford was awarded a CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for services to dance.