Joss Arnott and his postgraduate company return to the Dukes with new triple bill of contemporary dance

A powerful evening of adrenaline fuelled dance performed by a company of 20 extraordinary artists.

Emergence, the touring postgraduate dance company of Joss Arnott Dance and the University of Salford presents a new triple bill brought to life by an exceptional new ensemble. This programme promises an evening of dynamic, high-energy work.

Jason Mabana introduces “Our Guests”, a captivating new dance work that follows a group of sensual, otherworldly beings as they encounter their surroundings for the very first time. Drawing on Mabana’s distinctive and fluid movement language, the piece explores the impact of a shared physical vocabulary – one shaped by tenderness, curiosity, and the surreal wonder of discovery. Influenced by the imagery and cohesion of synchronised swimming, the dancers move through waves of collective motion and intimate detail, crafting a world where exploration becomes both poetic and deeply human. “Our Guests” offers a rich, immersive journey through connection, sensation, and the fragile beauty of experiencing life anew.

“Rapture” is an electrifying new dance piece rooted in club energy – a collision of contemporary movement and the bold expression of vogue and ballroom. Built in

collaboration with the company, the work channels the exhilarating freedom of nightlife, where individual flair and collective dynamism meet. Through each dancer’s unique style and presence, “Rapture” celebrates identity, friendship, and the irresistible pull of the dance floor. But what happens when joy starts to slip out of control? When a carefree atmosphere quickly becomes unstable? The result is a visceral journey of chaos and connection, revealing the fine line between euphoria and mayhem.

Artistic Director Joss Arnott and assistant choreographer Lisa Marie Robinson return with a re-envisioned version of “Euphoria”, created anew with the 2026 cohort. Retaining Arnott’s exhilarating and physically charged movement language, the piece drives through waves of tension, power, and momentum, building an intense choreographic landscape that keeps the audience on edge. This iteration deepens the original exploration of ego and transformation, pushing dancers toward their limits as they navigate shifting states of pressure, unity, and release. Set to an electrifying score by composer James Keane, “Euphoria” showcases a refined interplay between movement and music, culminating in a visceral and uplifting surge that embodies the work’s title.

“I'm excited to be working alongside Lisa once more with a brand-new company of talented dancers. I love to restage a work and to develop it with new dancers to see what new collaborative opportunities arise. The dancers for this year's company have such raw talent and I'm looking forward to having them showcase this throughout the programme and tour.”

- Artistic Director, Joss Arnott

Please note: This programme contains loud music, the use of haze and flashing lights (no strobe).