ESD Presents

ESD Presents Robert Cohan ✨ From 28 July to 02 August, ESD Presents Robert Cohan was a vibrant celebration of the iconic choreographer, teacher, and visionary. Presented in partnership with the Sir Robert Cohan Dance Legacy, the event honoured Cohan’s enduring influence on British contemporary dance. Hosted for the first time at Dance City, the week offered a rare opportunity for participants to engage with the principles and methods that shaped Cohan’s revolutionary approach to movement. With generous funding from the Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement @accharitablesettlement and support from Dance City @dance_city_newcastle , the event featured esteemed Cohan teachers Anne Donnelly and Kenneth Tharp @kennetholumuyiwatharp , whose guidance and insight were central to the programme. More than a tribute, this gathering created a powerful space for intergenerational exchange—connecting dancers across ages and backgrounds in shared exploration of Cohan’s work. It was a week of learning, inspiration, and legacy-building. This event also supported the re-staging of Eclipse (1961) by Robert Cohan for Eliot Smith Dance @eliotsmithdance repertoire. Thank you to EVERYONE who made it possible. 📅 Save the date: The next event will take place from 26–31 July 2027 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Dance Celebrant to be announced in autumn 2026. #ESDPresents #RobertCohan #Dance #Dancer #Celebrate #Choreographer #Newcastle #BritishDance #EliotSmithDance #ThankYou

Following the week of Intensive workshops, here are some images from the wonderful ESD Presents Robert Cohan Gala performance on 2nd August at Dance City Newcastle to celebrate Robert Cohan’s 100th Anniversary. The Gala included a premiere of Eclipse (1961) by Sir Robert Cohan, performed by ESD dancers Amy Becke and Yamit Salazar. ESD Presents Robert Cohan is delivered in partnership with Sir Robert Cohan Dance Legacy, in collaboration with Dance City, and generously supported by Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement, Friends of ESD, and Anonymous Donors. #ESDPresents #RobertCohan #ContemporaryDance #BritishDance #DanceLegacy #Choreographer #Dancer #Celebrate #Movement #ArtInMotion #photographerslife #dancephotography #dance

At the end of last month, I captured day two of the ‘ESD Presents Robert Cohan Intensive’ workshops at Dance City Newcastle. The workshops were in preparation for a Gala performance on 2nd August to celebrate Robert Cohan’s 100th Anniversary. The dancers worked incredibly hard and showed huge commitment during the workshops, resulting in an amazing Gala performance at the end of the week. Here are a few images from the workshops. ESD Presents Robert Cohan was delivered in partnership with Sir Robert Cohan Dance Legacy, in collaboration with Dance City, and generously supported by Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement, Friends of ESD, and Anonymous Donors. #ESDPresents #RobertCohan #ContemporaryDance #BritishDance #DanceLegacy #Choreographer #Dancer #Celebrate #Movement #ArtInMotion #photographerslife #dancephotography #dance

The culmination of ESD Presents Robert Cohan ✨ captured from the wings… Last night’s Gala Performance at Dance City @dance_city_newcastle was an unforgettable tribute to Sir Robert Cohan CBE — celebrating his vision, influence, and lasting legacy in British contemporary dance. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us, to the extraordinary intensive dancers, youth dancers of Newcastle Dance Centre @newcastledancecentre , community dancers, who brought Cohan’s work to life, and to the many people behind the scenes who made the evening so special. It was an honour to premiere Eclipse (1961) with Eliot Smith Dance (@eliotsmithdance ), performed stunningly by Yamit Salazar @yamit_salazar and Amy Becke @amy_becke restaged by Anne Donnelly. Thank you to Yorke Dance Project @yorkedanceproject for presenting Cohan’s Portraits and to our panelist chaired by Paul Jackson @pauljackson65 . Thank you to our amazing musicians, and the technical team at Dance City. Cohan’s spirit was truly present — his legacy lives on. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Sir Robert Cohan Dance Legacy, Dance City, the Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement @accharitablesettlement , Yorke Dance Project, Chester Music, Geoffrey Burgon Foundation @burgonfoundation , thank you to EVERYONE who helped make this Gala Performance possible. A heartfelt thank you to Anne Donnelly, Kenneth Tharp @kennetholumuyiwatharp , Roy Vestrich, Linda Gibbs, and Angela Reay. #RobertCohan #DanceLegacy #ThankYou #EliotSmithDance #Eclipse #ContemporaryDance #DanceCity #Newcastle #UKDance

Hear Geoffrey’s music tonight, 7pm at @dance_city_newcastle (tickets available through the link in their bio) in a grand-finale gala performance of a week-long celebration of @robertpcohan , widely regarded as the founding father of British contemporary dance. 2025 marks the centenary of Robert Cohan’s birth. With this in mind, Robert Cohan Dance Legacy has worked alongside @eliotgsmith , a graduate of London Contemporary Dance School, and his company, @eliotsmithdance , based in Newcastle, who have been hosting a week-long summer intensive ending today at Dance City, Newcastle. This includes the final section ‘Praises’, of Cohan’s work ‘Songs, Lamentations and Praises’ (1979), for which Geoffrey wrote the music. This will be shared as part of a gala performance taking place at 7pm this evening, Saturday 2 August. This excerpt from Songs Lamentations and Praises will be performed by participants attending the summer intensive, alongside other works, including a re-imagining of Cohan’s Forest (1977), and a revival of Cohan’s iconic work Eclipse (1961), to be performed by the dancers of Eliot Smith Dance, and re-staged by Anne Donnelly and Linda Gibbs

Tonight is the night! Join us for a powerful evening of dance as we celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Sir Robert Cohan CBE, in partnership with Sir Robert Cohan Dance Legacy. This Gala Performance marks the grand finale of a week-long celebration at Dance City (@dance_city_newcastle ), honouring Cohan — widely regarded as the founding father of British contemporary dance. The evening will feature an excerpt and re-imagining from his masterworks performed by an intergenerational cast of dancers, including Cohan’s Portraits with kind permission of Yorke Dance Project and the Eliot Smith Dance premiere of Robert Cohan’s Eclipse (1961). 🗓 Saturday 2 August, 7pm 🎟 Limited Tickets Available via link in bio 📸 Image 1 Robert Cohan. Photograph: Sueddeutsche Zeitung Photo/Alamy 📸 Image 2 Robert Cohan in Martha Graham Dance Company. Photographer Unknown 📸 Image 3 Eclipse by Robert Cohan. Dancers: Amy Becke and Yamit Salazar. Photographer: Darren Irwin. With kind permission of Sir Robert Cohan Dance Legacy. #Eclipse #RobertCohan #DanceLegacy #ContemporaryDance #DanceCity #Newcastle #EliotSmithDance #UKDance #NorthEastArts

✨ Day 5 of ESD Presents Robert Cohan Intensive The final layers are being crafted, and the transformation is nearly complete. With just one day to go until the Gala Performance, the dancers are giving everything — refining, reflecting, and rising to meet the moment. Today, the studio was alive with purpose. Each movement carried weight, each silence held meaning. The performers are not just preparing a show — they’re embodying a legacy. Join us tomorrow, Saturday 2 August at 7pm at Dance City @dance_city_newcastle for an unforgettable evening honouring the life and work of Sir Robert Cohan. ESD Presents Robert Cohan is presented in partnership with Sir Robert Cohan Dance Legacy, and in collaboration with Dance City, funded by Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement @accharitablesettlement , Friends of ESD, and Anonymous Donors. #ESDIntensive #RobertCohan #DanceLegacy #Day5 #ContemporaryDance #DanceTraining #StudioLife #CohanMethod #EmbodyingLegacy #EliotSmithDance #ESDPresents #Newcastle #GalaPerformance #LiveDance #CountdownBegins

✨ Day 4 of ESD Presents Robert Cohan Intensive The rhythm is building, and so is the anticipation. With just days to go until Saturday’s Gala Performance, dancers are pouring heart and soul into every phrase, every pause, every connection. Today, the studio pulsed with focus and fierce dedication as the performers honed their craft in honour of Sir Robert Cohan. These moments – shaped by discipline, creativity, and community are transforming into something truly special for the stage. Join us this Saturday 2 August, 7pm at Dance City @dance_city_newcastle for a moving celebration of Cohan’s legacy. Witness the culmination of a powerful week of exploration, embodiment, and expression. ESD Presents Robert Cohan is presented in partnership with Sir Robert Cohan Dance Legacy, and in collaboration with Dance City, funded by Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement @accharitablesettlement , Friends of ESD, and Anonymous Donors. #ESDIntensive #RobertCohan #DanceLegacy #Day4 #ContemporaryDance #DanceTraining #StudioLife #CohanMethod #EmbodyingLegacy #EliotSmithDance #ESDPresents #Newcastle #GalaPerformance #LiveDance

✨Day 3 of ESD Presents Robert Cohan Intensive Halfway through the journey, and the energy in the studio is electric. Today was all about diving deeper — into movement, memory, and intention. Every breath, every gesture, every silence is teaching us something new. Thank you to our incredible faculty and open-hearted participants for continuing to shape this space with such generosity, as we celebrate Sir Robert Cohan. ESD Presents Robert Cohan is presented in partnership with Sir Robert Cohan Dance Legacy, and in collaboration with Dance City @dance_city_newcastle , funded by Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement @accharitablesettlement , Friends of ESD, and Anonymous Donors. #ESDIntensive #RobertCohan #DanceLegacy #Day3 #ContemporaryDance #DanceTraining #StudioLife #CohanMethod #EmbodyingLegacy #EliotSmithDance #ESDPresents #Newcastle

That’s a wrap on day two! We’re all feeling incredibly lucky to share this journey with such inspiring artists, mentors, and friends during the ESD Presents Robert Cohan Intensive. The energy, passion, and legacy in the room today were unforgettable. Onward we go! ESD Presents Robert Cohan is delivered in partnership with Sir Robert Cohan Dance Legacy, in collaboration with Dance City @dance_city_newcastle , and generously supported by Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement @accharitablesettlement , Friends of ESD, and Anonymous Donors. @eliotsmithdance #ESDPresents #RobertCohan #ContemporaryDance #BritishDance #DanceLegacy #Choreographer #Dancer #Celebrate #Movement #ArtInMotion

Grateful for an amazing first day of ESD Presents Robert Cohan intensive with so many amazing friends and mentors. Let’s go day 2! ESD Presents Robert Cohan is hosted in partnership with Sir Robert Cohan Dance Legacy, and in collaboration with Dance City @dance_city_newcastle , funded by Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement @accharitablesettlement , Friends of ESD, and Anonymous Donors. @eliotsmithdance #ESDPresents #RobertCohan #Dancer #Choreographer #ContemporaryDance #DanceCelebrant #BritishDance #Legacy #Dance #Celebrate

🎉 ESD Presents: Robert Cohan kicks off today — a week-long celebration of the founding father of British contemporary dance. From his time as Martha Graham’s @marthagrahamdance leading partner to shaping the UK’s modern dance scene, Cohan’s legacy is unmatched. We’re honouring his vision with classes, performances, and more. 👥 Today’s highlight: Public Lecture – A Brief History of Robert Cohan 📅 Mon 28 July 2025 | 🕞 3:30pm | 📍 Dance City, Newcastle 🎟️ Tickets via link in bio Plus, the Cohan Summer Intensive is now underway — welcoming dancers from across the UK to train in Cohan Method, Ballet, Repertory & more. 👀 Follow for behind-the-scenes and visit eliotsmithdance.com/esdpresents to learn more. ESD Presents Robert Cohan is presented in partnership with Sir Robert Cohan Dance Legacy, and in collaboration with Dance City @dance_city_newcastle , funded by Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement @accharitablesettlement , Friends of ESD, and Anonymous Donors. 📸 Robert Cohan CBE, Aug 1987 I © Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement @accharitablesettlement #ESDPresents #RobertCohan #Dancer #Choreographer #ContemporaryDance #DanceCelebrant #BritishDance #Legacy #Dance #Celebrate