The Nature of Why

In 2018, we worked with Paraorchestra on The Nature of Why, a new dance work with a score by Goldfrapp’s Will Gregory.

It was commissioned by Unlimited and premiered at Mayfest 2018 before touring to the Southbank Centre in London as part of the Unlimited Festival. It is now touring nationally and internationally.

The Nature of Why merges dance and live music into an epic performance that brims with emotion and physical beauty. The show features a cinematic live-score from Goldfrapp’s Will Gregory, an ensemble of musicians from the British Paraorchestra and four extraordinary dancers.

Paraorchestra is the world's first large-scale professional ensemble of disabled musicians, a boundary-breaking outfit that is unlike any orchestra you've seen or heard. Their mission is to perform phenomenal music that captivates an audience, pushing the artform and proving beyond a doubt that disability is no barrier to talent.

This world premiere takes inspiration from the unconventional curiosity of Nobel prize-winning theoretical physicist Richard Feynman, and his search for meaning in the world around us. The Nature of Why promises to be an up-close-and-personal dance experience like no other.

The Nature of Why is choreographed by Caroline Bowditch (Adventures of Snigel, Falling In Love With Frida), conducted by Charles Hazlewood, with direction by Caroline Bowditch and Charles Hazlewood.

Commissioned and supported by Unlimited, celebrating the work of disabled artists, with funding from Arts Council England.

The Nature of Why is supported by Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

Additional support from We the Curious.

Produced by The Paraorchestra and Friends, and Mayk.

“The joy created by the remarkable company is second only to the joy felt by those lucky enough to see The Nature of Why. This isn’t simply a performance you simply see or hear. It’s one you feel.”

— Bristol 24/7