STASILAND. ON FILM.
BY PREMIER DANCE THEATRE & ROMIFOLDER
PROGRAMME NOTE:
Set in the shredded document ruins of a collapsed government, 4 individuals diligently work to recover their stories. As they piece together the papers that lie strewn around them, they are transported into their memories, discovering the secrets of their own lives. With the new knowledge these documents provide, the Stasi (secret government agents) are revealed, sending secret signals to each other, brushing their noses, holding their stomachs and backs and creeping ever closer to our characters, setting the course for their lives without ever touching them.
Inspired by the book Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall by Anna Funder & designed for audiences in Galleries, Libraries & Theatres.
CREDITS:
Choreographer & Dancer: Olivia Wallis Jackson
Film Maker: RomiFolder (Michelle Rose)
Dancer & Collaborator: Kai Harvey
Dancer & Collaborator: Martina Tartarini
Dancer & Collaborator: Jonah Woolfenden
Dancer & Collaborator: Melody Weston-Shaw
Dramaturgy: Bailey Dowler
Supported by Arts Council England, Pavilion Dance South West, Mayflower Studios, Hampshire Libraries, Lila Dance, Luke Brown Company, and ZoieLogic Dance Theatre.
ABOUT ROMIFOLDER:
Michelle Rose (ROMIFOLDER.) is a professional dance and movement media artist. She uses visual art as a tool to create thought-provoking material to make live moments last. The story of the dancers is at the heart of what she does. This combined with extensive knowledge in dance, photography and digital media, her perspective is of a dancer and this is what sets her apart.
ABOUT THE COMPANY:
Premier Dance Theatre, currently based in Southampton, works across the South and in London creating dance theatre pieces that are rooted in contemporary dance. With a focus on storytelling collaboration is essential to this work. Our processes draw on a variety of art making practices, inviting artists from across the UK’s vibrant art and performance scene to share their unique stories in creation and performance.
We are committed to fostering working environments that are collaborative, experimental, supportive, risk taking & innovative, while providing opportunities to those in the transition between training and professional life. Additionally, we strive to make work that can be situated in multiple environments, allowing outstanding dance-theatre to be accessible to communities across the UK and internationally.
We are a 2025 Visiting Artist at Pavilion Dance South West, completing a residency in July to continue developing our first professional work - Stasiland.
Founded in 2024 by Olivia Wallis Jackson.
SEE STASILAND IN PERSON:
4th October 2025, 10:00 & 11:30 at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
11th October 2025, 11:00 & 14:00, at Gosport Discovery Centre
Further Tour Dates TBC. Keep up with us on INSTAGRAM.
If you’re interested in booking Stasiland for your venue, please email olivia.wallis.jackson@gmail.com
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