Characteristic features of the company

• Versatile dancers with a high level of technique: enables them to perform choreography by a wide range of choreographers
• An outward looking company that works with international choreographers: this enabled the company to make the transition in 1966, particularly with the work of Glen Tetley whose work bridged the gap between modern dance and ballet. The input of work from international choreographers enables the company to have a rich and varied programme of works that are toured.
• A company that reaches out to young people and places importance on dance in education. This enables the company to introduce young people to modern dance and understand/appreciate their repertoire.
• A company that nurtures the choreographic potential of its own dancers. Christopher Bruce was one of the important choreographers to emerge.
• A company that has remained true to its early ethos of collaboration with designers and composers. Richard Alston placed particular importance on this.
• A company that has bridged the gap between ballet and modern (contemporary) dance: Glen Tetley's input in the early years and Christopher Bruce.
• A company that has allowed its artistic focus to shift in line with their artistic director and in response to the need to build audiences/ be financially viable.