Ghosts of England: North Shields’ working Fish Quay to host two-week dance and music project
Fishermen unloading their catch will share North Shields Fish Quay with contemporary dancers and musicians for two weeks this summer.
Anthony Lo-Giudice’s Ghosts of England is the forerunner to a bigger project in 2025 that will tour nationally and internationally before returning to North Shields for its finale as part of the town’s 800th anniversary celebrations.
Between 22 July and 2 August this year, a team of professional dancers and musicians from the North East and London will use the Fish Quay jetty as a rehearsal and performance space. The work is supported by the North Shields Cultural Quarter Projects and Events Fund.
North Shields Cultural Quarter is part of North Tyneside Council’s ambitious plans for North Shields, enhancing and growing the creative economy. It was previously funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority and is now supported by the new North East Combined Authority.
Fishermen and workers on the quay will be able to watch the performers and interact with them as they collaborate to produce the piece.
There will be wraparound activities so that local schools and community groups can get involved, as well as a chance for people to ask questions of the cast.
Anthony Lo-Giudice is a North Shields-based contemporary dance artist who works across the UK and Europe as a dance theatre choreographer, performer and dance tutor. He runs North Tyneside Youth Dance and is exploring setting up a new professional dance company in North Shields.
The work is about what it means to be from England, seen through the eyes of people who were born here and those who have come to call it home. It explores what maritime communities in far-flung places have in common, in terms of their folklore, spirit and way of life.
The work is being pulled together in North Shields and will draw on strands of inspiration from Iceland and Naples, where Anthony is carrying out research with Icelandic and Italian dancers, artists and fishermen.
Anthony said: “North Shields is a multifaceted place with lots of layers. It is an international waterway system with livelihoods built on the sea, whilst also jostling with local communities and businesses struggling in a cost-of-living crisis.
“One thing I am always struck by are the people that make up the fabric of the area. There’s a comradery here, and a strong sense of place. When you are in North Shields, you really know you are here.
“It’s a town where you can get caught up in feeling like you are on the fringes of society, whilst also musing on the meaning of it all when looking out onto the North Sea.
“It’s that feeling of being stuck between the land and sea that really grabs me, and I’m hoping that as a choreographer I can distil and bottle some of that in my work.
“Prior to being resident on the Fish Quay in July, we’re going to be hosting some engagement activities with local groups, and we’re planning to meet some of the local fishing industry workers. Artistically, I’d love to see if there are some people and stories that will influence the direction of the production.
“It will probably feel strange at first, dancing and playing music while the market is in full flow, and fish guts are flying around. However I think if we get it right, it will be magic.
“I suppose that’s what North Shields is striving for in some way, to be firmly rooted in its long-standing industries whilst also becoming a cultural epicentre. Everyone thriving and working together to bring a stronger future to the town.
“Having the support of North Shields Cultural Quarter and North Shields Fish Quay feels special, and I have so much gratitude to them in supporting the project and the artists that will be working on it.”
Nik Hanlon, Managing Director of North Shields Fish Quay Co Ltd said: “Our Fish Quay is a bustling work environment. Around 1,500 tonnes of fish and shellfish is landed here each year. Having Anthony and his team of dancers and musicians in residence for two weeks will be a real talking point for fishermen, customers and workers on the quay and we’re sure it will attract a lot of attention.
“North Shields Fish Quay is England’s premier prawn port and it’s a rugged, hardworking area but it’s also home to a vibrant hospitality industry including many fantastic restaurants.
“It’s steeped in history dating back to the 13th century, it’s home to the Old Low Light Heritage Centre, the Fishermen’s Mission, North Shields Fishermen’s Heritage Project and fantastic works of public art such as the Fisherman and the Herring Girl.
“It’s a desirable residential area, there are thousands of properties here with stunning river views. We already think of ourselves as a place where arts, culture, heritage and tourism come together and we’re excited to welcome the Ghosts of England project into the heart of our working Fish Quay.”
Steve Bishop, Head of Culture at North Tyneside Council, said: “This unique event is bound to get people talking. It’s a great opportunity to show off our vibrant, historic Fish Quay and to showcase our incredible creative sector in North Shields.
“North Shields Cultural Quarter is all about helping the creative economy to grow to help regenerate the town centre. The Projects and Events Fund is being used to help raise the profile of the town, bring in funding from other sources such as the Arts Council, encourage creative collaborations and engage the community.
“Ghosts of England does all of these things and Anthony Lo-Giudice is one example of the many creative businesses, practitioners and venues that make North Shields such an exciting place to be right now.”
Funding for the Ghosts of England project comes from the Arts Council, North Shields Cultural Quarter, Seaton Delaval Hall, the Auckland Project, Queen’s Hall Hexham, London School of Contemporary Dance and the Museum of British Folklore.
North Shields Cultural Quarter:
· Helps the cultural and creative economy in the town to grow and gives it a sustainable future
· Works with local artists and creative businesses to fund a programme of projects and events
· Provides training and skills development
· Offers bursary funding
· Helps strengthen and support the creative community
· Explores how culture and creativity can help drive place-based regeneration
· Is closely tied to our Ambition for North Shields and our High Street Heritage Action Zone
· Is one of three Cultural and Creative Zones funded by the North East Combined Authority, the other two in Newcastle and Berwick
· At its centre are the newly-restored Exchange Theatre, Globe Gallery and North Tyneside Business Centre, the new home of Helix Arts.
This project is part funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
It was previously funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority and is now supported by the new North East Combined Authority.
North Shields Cultural Quarter is part of the North of Tyne Culture and Creative Zone programme. More details can be found here.