Performance at Messums

Performance is the ephemeral artform, experienced in the moment.

It has been part of our artistic programming since 2016.

In 2022, we decided to explore dance and create a platform to support and understand choreography as an artistic language.

We launched
4X20 Choreography Platform and Festival of Dance.

4X20 Choreography Platform

2022-Now

Messums 4X20 is an emerging choreography support platform, which commissions two selected artists annually to present one pre-existing and one newly developed dance work of up to 20 minutes each, with a maximum of 4 performers – hence “4X20.”

The artists receive a financial commission, networking opportunities, production and marketing support, and free rehearsal space in preparation for their performances.

Festival of Dance

July 2022-2023

A ten-day annual summer dance festival, featuring live dance performances from leading UK-based dance companies and emerging artists. Two years in a row, a full theatre was built in the 13th century tythe barn to host spectacular performances, workshops, discussions, dinners and film screenings.

Festival of Dance welcomed companies such as Hofesh Shechter – Shechter II, Alleyne Dance, Spoken Movement and Alexander Whitley.

Festival of Dance also launched the prestigious Messums Dance Film Festival in 2023, which had its own screening and awards ceremony, gathering film-makers and films from across the whole globe.