National Dance Company Wales Nominated for Achievement in Dance at UK Theatre Awards

National Dance Company Wales (NDCWales) was nominated for the Achievement in Dance category at the UK Theatre Awards, which took place in central London. The ceremony was presented by La Voix, known for appearances on Strictly Come Dancing and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. NDCWales’s nomination recognised their production Surge | Gwefr, which toured across the UK and Germany last autumn, performing to sold-out audiences and receiving acclaim from both critics and viewers.

Surge | Gwefr featured three distinct dance pieces that highlighted Welsh visual arts, music, and design. One of the works was ‘Waltz’ by internationally acclaimed choreographer Marcos Morau, noted for its precise choreography and striking costumes. Another piece, ‘Infinity Duet’, was a collaboration between choreographer Faye Tan and artist Cecile Johnson Soliz, with music by Cardiff-based sound artist Richard McReynolds. This work incorporated a large swinging sculpture and costumes printed with Soliz’s drawings. The third piece, ‘Mabon’ by Osian Meilir, drew inspiration from Welsh mythology and the Mabinogion tales, featuring eco-friendly animal costumes and masks designed by Welsh artist Becky Davies, accompanied by music from triple harpist Cerys Hafana.

The performances were praised for their range of dance styles, from sharp and precise movements to joyful and character-driven folk dance, supported by the combined efforts of dancers, technicians, costume makers, and administrators. Artistic Director Bakani Pick Up expressed that the nomination recognised the hard work and innovative collaborations behind Surge | Gwefr.

The other finalists in the Achievement in Dance category were Scottish Ballet for their production Mary, Queen of Scots, and Yorke Dance Project for Modern Milestones. The award was ultimately won by Yorke Dance Project.

Currently, NDCWales is touring their 2026 production Blue | Glas, which opened in September and will conclude at Aberystwyth Arts Centre on 19 November. This production features two works exploring human resilience: Ordinary Courage by Theo Clinkard, a restaging from 2012, and Untamed by Olivier Award nominee Alesandra Seutin.

The nomination at the UK Theatre Awards adds to NDCWales’s history of recognition within the UK dance scene, reflecting their ongoing commitment to innovative and culturally rich performances.