201 Dance Company, under the direction of director Andrea Walker, has announced their latest project: a dance video set to Brighton & Hove Pride headliner Girls Aloud‘s iconic track Something New.
Over the past few years, the company’s viral videos have captivated audiences with their creativity, flair, and unapologetic camp aesthetic. Each year, the videos have garnered increasing attention, reaching new heights of popularity for the company.
The journey began in 2018 when the video featured pop icon Britney Spears who was the headliner for Brighton & Hove Pride, instantly capturing the imagination of viewers and amassing groundbreaking views on social media.
The following year, the queen of camp herself, Kylie Minogue, made a cameo appearance, further solidifying the company’s reputation for high quality celebratory videos.
After that, the dance company paid homage to the twentieth anniversary of Christina Aguilera‘s hit song Dirrty, wowing audiences once again in front of the backdrop of iconic Brighton locations and last year the company performed to Sam Smith and Madonna’s Vulgar for the PRIDE IS A PROTEST theme.
The video, a celebration of queer nightlife and a call to action, showcases key workers of Brighton’s nightlife and iconic queer venues in Brighton. Featuring drag artists, bartenders, and bouncers, it aims to underline the crisis facing queer venues. The video also spotlights the vibrant culture that remains and the need to protect these essential queer spaces.
Filming took place predominantly at night, a first for the company, capturing the unique energy of Brighton’s queer nightlife. The LGBTQ+ venue Legends features with most LGBTQ+ venues in Kemptown – Brighton’s main queer district – also making an appearance.
Ruth Ellen Little leads this year’s performance, while drag artists Ex-Girlfriend, Tayris Mongardi, Glew, Dave Lynn, Stella, Mary O’Kart and RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Anubis also feature prominently.
This year marks the first time the video is officially sponsored by Brighton & Hove Pride, alongside major sponsors Marina Studios and the NHS.
Andrea Walker, director, said: “Girls Aloud’s Something New is an anthem with a powerful beat that reflects the resilience and joy of our community.
“By shooting at night, we’re showing a side of Brighton that’s alive with the spirit of our queer spaces. Dance has always been a defiant and celebratory act, and we’re using it to make a statement about the importance of protecting our nightlife.”
More info on 201 Dance Company by visiting their website