Ashley and Levent explore stories around loss, loneliness, social anxiety and passive aggression. In The Unkown these stories are expressed through dance and clowning, using hip hop theatre practice and culture.
The Dance House's talented youth are highly regarded and have often been invited to perform hip hop theatre pieces at prominent events around Scotland such as Breakin' Convention (Edinburgh tour date), Breakin' Rules, Leith Festival, Meadows Festival, the Scottish Parliament's 20th anniversary celebrations, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. All House of Jack's young dancers have the chance to take part in The Dance House's annual Summer Show, held at the Ross Bandstand in Princes St Gardens – a vibrant day showcasing the students' talent!
The Dance House's adult dancers perform at theatre nights, festivals, shows and events, including at venues Three Sisters Bar and Edinburgh Street Food, events such as The List's Hot 100 Party, National Museum Lates, Leith Festival, Hidden Door Festival, Breakin' Rules and more!
If you have an upcoming event or theatre night and are interested in performances from our dancers, please get in touch!
THEATRE AND PERFORMANCES
THE UNKNOWN
URSULA MANANDHAR & NEVIL JOSE
The Unknown explore stories around loss, loneliness, social anxiety and passive aggression. In The Unkown these stories are expressed through dance and clowning, using hip hop theatre practice and culture. Choreographed by Ashley Jack & Levent Nyembo.
Performed at:
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Hidden Door Festival 2022, Edinburgh
THREE SISTERS BAR
HOUSE OF JACK ADULT COMPANY
Cabaret-style performance for high-energy, one-hour street, club and funk style dance show, with audience interaction. Performed on several show dates by Gabriele Bruzesse (breaking), Rita Hu (waacking, locking), Leila Capasso (waacking, salsa), Marco Barot (house, hip hop), and Kijean Dill (commercial, salsa).
Performed at:
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Three Sisters Bar Cabaret space, Edinburgh, November 2022
FREQUENCY
JACKIN THE BOX YOUTH COMPANY
Created and choreographed by Ashley Jack and performed by Jackin the Box Youth Company. A dark, atmospheric piece exploring the impact of modern technology on the lives and well-being of young people. Specifically, the effects of the overuse of smartphones and of high-frequency deterrent noises such as the Mosquito. Constant smartphone and social media use has implications for disengagement from the real world, reliance on external approval, and resultant anxiety. High-frequency noises, audible only to younger people, have been used in recent years, controversially, as a method of deterring youths from socialising outside shops, or even their own homes. 'Frequency' examines the mounting pressures young people are subjected to by technology in their daily lives.
Performed at:
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Breakin' Convention, Edinburgh FestivalTheatre, 2017
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Breakin' Rules, Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, 2017
"Ashley Jack's ... Youth Company has developed a fizzing, flickering piece about the overuse of technology, that buzzes with an unnerving spark."
- The List
URBAN CREATIVE
MINI JACKERS & JACKIN' THE BOX
Pieces performed by Mini Jackers Bella, Bogdan, Georgia, Isla, Katie, Maisie, Martina, Maya, Mia, Rei, Tymon, and Jackin' the Box members Aidan, Amber, Raphael, Alex and Fraser. Pieces choreographed by Ursula Manandhar.
Performed at:
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Urban Creative, Leith Arches, 2023
ESF - HEELS
HOUSE OF JACK ADULTS COMPANY
A confident, powerful performance in high heels, merging the clean lines of jazz with the energy of hip hop. Choreographed by Lorna Brown.
Performed at:
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ESF, Edinburgh, May 2023
ESF - YOUTH
MINI JACKERS YOUTH COMPANY
An energetic, fun performance from our younger youth company, choreographed by Ursula Manandhar.
Performed at:
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ESF, Edinburgh, March 2023
ESF - COMMERCIAL
HOUSE OF JACK ADULTS COMPANY
Drawing on hip hop, jazz and more, an impactful, energetic dance performance from our Commercial dancers! Choreographed by Lorna Brown.
Performed at:
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ESF, Edinburgh, August 2023
LEITH FESTIVAL
MINI JACKERS YOUTH COMPANY
Energetic, upbeat performance! Choreographed by Ursula Manandhar.
Performed at:
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Leith Festival, Edinburgh, June 2022
NATIONAL MUSEUM
HOUSE OF JACK ADULTS COMPANY
A high-impact performance with breaking (Ilja Dubrovins), hip hop (Ursula Manandhar) and waacking (Rita Hu) styles, plus a fun join-in session of commercial and hip hop with Yasmin Doak!
Performed at:
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National Museum Scotland, Edinburgh, October 2022
ROCK WHAT YOU GOT
MINI JACKERS YOUTH COMPANY
An energetic, upbeat performance choreographed by Ursula Manandhar.
Performed at:
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Rock What You Got battle event, Edinburgh, August 2021
DREAMCATCHER
MINI JACKERS YOUTH COMPANY
What manifests in your dreams at night, and are you in control...?
Performed at:
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Leith Festival, Edinburgh, 2022
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Breakin Rules, Brunton Theatre, Edinburgh, 2019
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House of Jack Christmas Show, Church Hill Theatre, 2019
STYLE IT OUT
MINI JACKERS YOUTH COMPANY
A fun, upbeat piece embracing individuality!
Performed at:
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Scottish Parliament 20th Anniversary Celebration, 2019
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Meadows Festival, Edinburgh, 2019
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Open Streets Edinburgh, 2019
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House of Jack Christmas Show, The Studio Theatre, 2018
MACHINE
MINIJACKERS YOUTH COMPANY
Focussing, searching, cracking the code. Everybody hears but nobody understands. Waiting for the breakthrough, anticipating victory – when babble becomes meaning, the world is in their hands.
Performed at:
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Edinburgh Fringe Festival, DanceBase, 2018
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The Great Big Dance Show, Dundee Rep Theatre, 2018
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House of Jack Christmas Show, The Studio Theatre, 2018
Image credit: Amy Sinead photography
"Perhaps most impressive of all, and a particular highlight of the whole performance, was the impressive discipline and concentration of this group. They not only moved as one when they needed to, they seemed to be breathing in unison also."
- Sardines Magazine
CLOWNING AROUND
JACKIN THE BOX YOUTH COMPANY
Exploring the challenges of becoming young adults, including peer pressure and social judgement.
Performed at:
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Breakin' Rules, Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, 2018
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House of Jack Christmas Show, The Studio Theatre, 2018