Club Origami
by Takeshi Matsumoto
About Club Origami
This imaginative stage show is ripping fun for under-fives, who will be mesmerised by the paper birds and monsters
The Guardian
The perfect way to introduce young children to the world of dance and the freedom of expression that comes with movement.
The Young Londoner
Rip, fold and scrumple!
Shall we see what we can make with a single square of paper?
As you scrunch the paper, see how your imagination begins to dance...
Dive into the magical world of Club Origami, an immersive and interactive dance show inviting family audiences to create, imagine and explore whole new ways of thinking, playing, and moving.
Dance, fashion, and live music meet the magic of origami to sweep us up on a spirited and inspiring adventure in a land made purely of paper and play.
This show is part of the Rural Touring Dance Initiative, a national project which supports dance artists and rural promoters to make great dance performance events happen in rural spaces.
About Takeshi Matsumoto
Takeshi Matsumoto is a Japanese dance artist and a dance movement psychotherapist, having experience in working with children with autism and learning disabilities both in the UK and Japan.
Growing up in Japan, his practice both in life and performing art is influenced by 和-Wa, harmony, peacefulness, quiet and contentment ways of living and balancing with others and the environment.
As a performer, he has worked with Christian Duarte, Darren Johnston, Beatrice Allegranti, Paul-Andre Fortier, and Second Hand Dance. He is also a collaborator with Hagit Yakira. During 2022 – 2023 he was awarded Ideas Funds as a Vital Spark associate artist.
In recent years, he has been committed to an independent project to create dance performances with stateless refugee children in Thailand, tackling issues around social injustice and the rights of children.
Cast And Creatives
Concept: Takeshi Matsumoto
Created and performed by: Makiko Aoyama, Robert Howat, Takeshi Matsumoto
Music: Robert Howat
Dramaturg: Lou Cope
Mentor: Rosie Heafford
Set and Lighting Design: Ben Pacey
Costume Design: Giulia Scrimieri
Costume Maker: Hania Kosewicz
Club Origami has been commissioned by Little Big Dance – a pioneering national initiative creating new dance work for under-fives and their families, led by South East Dance in partnership with DanceEast, Take Art and Yorkshire Dance and funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Arts Council England, co-commissioned by Birmingham Hippodrome, Dance Umbrella, Strike-a-light and Spark Arts.
