Inventive, innovative and inspiring – three words which perfectly describe the Rambert Dance Company. Since its inception in 1926, the company’s rich and eclectic artistic programme has been unrivalled in the field of dance. As Rambert move into a new era with a transfer to their purpose-built centre on the South Bank, they continue to present pioneering works – and latest offering Labyrinth of Love is no exception. Taking as its inspiration the life and works of eight distinguished women spanning 2000 years, from Sappho through Mary Shelley and Elizabeth Barrett Browning to Elizabeth Taylor, it aims to reflect the bitterness, desire, irony, hope, sadness and humour of love.The specially-written score from Grammy Award-winning composer Michael Daugherty promises to be as arresting and ambitious as his previous works, drawing as it does on styles as varied as Baroque, blues and rock ‘n’ roll and featuring a live soprano on stage at every performance. One of those, international soloist Kirsty Hopkins is delighted to be returning to Manchester where she trained, to perform in this original work.Kirsty comments, “It’s always fantastic to go back to Manchester. It has such a vibrant arts scene and it’s wonderful to be a part of that. This will be my first time performing in Salford although I went to a show at The Lowry earlier in the year. It was good to get an idea of what to expect and the lay of the land, so to speak. It’s been fascinating working on Labyrinth of Love. It’s a very different rehearsal process to what I’m used to and that feels very liberating. There’s a lot to think about – the music, the movement, the costume and getting the meaning of the text across. The dancers and whole creative team are just amazing and so easy to work with. I count myself a very lucky girl!”The beating heart of this new work is Marguerite Donlon’s powerful and magical choreography, with designs by one of Britain’s leading visual artists, Mat Collishaw. Donlon’s vision captures not only the romantic moments of love but its humour and surprise.In addition there is a rare opportunity to experience the work of the man dubbed the “naughty boy” of dance by Martha Graham: Paul Taylor. His serene and unexpected piece Roses, set to music by Wagner and Baermann, will be performed on the tour along with acclaimed Israeli choreographer Itzik Galili’s high-energy SUB, a vigorous and taut work for seven male dancers set to the sounds of a string sextet.

The Labyrinth of Love tour premieres at The Lowry in Salford and then embarks on a UK- wide tour until April 2013.

Runs from 10th October at The Lowry, Salford and then touring the UK. For more information about the piece and the company, visit www.rambert.org.uk/Labyrinthoflove. For ticket and venue information visit www.rambert.org.uk/Labyrinthoflove/tour_dates.

By Lauren Humphreys

Image: Eric Richmond