About Alchemy

Liam Francis Dance Company debuts with Alchemy: a deeply personal double bill exploring identity, community, and transformation. In Lyre Liar, the former Rambert dancer and Dance Europe ‘Dancer of the Year’ nominee, Liam Francis traverses his journey through dance; with excerpts pieces by Merce Cunningham, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Kate Prince. With vulnerability and wit, he unpacks the complexities of shifting identities, the toll it takes, and the questions it leaves behind.

The dynamic and intimate trio A Body of Rumours, is a celebration of music, movement, and brotherhood. Three young Black men—linked by rhythm, trust, and shared histories—move through a choreography that draws from ballet, hip hop, and contemporary forms. Set to live electronic music by Chloe Mason, A Body of Rumours traces a journey from the tensions of isolation, competition and comparison, to the joy of connection and the beauty of bodies moving in harmony.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Liam Francis is an award-winning dancer and choreographer who has gained international recognition through his dancing career with Rambert Dance Company and LostDog. His choreographic work has been presented in numerous cities, including Hannover, Rotterdam, Rome, Paris, London and New York. Drawing on his background in contemporary dance, ballet and hip-hop, Liam's practice seeks to explore his eclectic embodied knowledge to give form to human emotions and concepts centred around community, identity and liminal spaces.

CAST AND CREATIVES

A BODY OF RUMOURS

Choreographer: Liam Francis
Creative Associate: Jacob Wye
Performers: Liam Francis, Jacob Wye, Stephen Quildan
R&D Performer (2025): Rhys Dennis, Eloy Cojal Mestre

Rehearsal Director: Bruno Guillore
Live Music Composer & Performer: Chloe Mason

Lighting Designer: Joshie Harriette
Associate Lighting Designer: Zoé Ritchie

Production Manager: Zoé Ritchie
Creative Producer: Steph Bergé

A Body of Rumours is co-commissioned by Théâtre de la Ville with the support of Caisse des Dépôts, Lowry and The Place. The work is receiving support from Arts Council England, Cndc Angers, FABRIC, Studio Wayne McGregor Resident 6, Serendipity Institute for Black Artsand Heritage, South East Dance, Brighton Dome, London Studio Centre, Rinova and the Abderrahim Crickmay charity.

LYRE LIAR

Choreographer & Performer: Liam Francis
Creative Associate: Maya Carroll
Dramaturgical Direction: Hannes Langhoff

Dramaturgical Support: Ben Duke
Rehearsal Directors: Jeannie Steele, Mavin Khoo, Shanelle ‘Tali’ Fergus

Lighting Designer:Zoé Ritchie
Music Composer: Jethro Cooke
Designer: Candice Mac
Production Manager: Zoé Ritchie
Producer: Liam Francis

Lyre Liar is co-commissioned by Lowry and has received generous support from Zoonation, Eastman, Merce Cunningham Trust, London Studio Centre, Smikle Dance Studio, Wainsgate Dances and Brixton House.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Liam Francis Dance Company’s patrons Nicolas Pinnock, Oona Van Den Berg, Serendipity, Cait Morrison and Philip Selway, Mike and Caroline Howes, for their generous contribution which was instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. We also would like to thank Yorke Dance Project for their incredible support.