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Press & Testimonials​

 

'Samsara is a work of rare beauty, its symbolism accessible yet never loud, Lou Cope’s dramaturgy bringing a commendable light touch to story-telling.'

- Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper on Samsara by Aakash Odedra.

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'The most fiercely resonant dance theatre of the decade.’

- Judith Mackrell, The Guardian on Babel (words) by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui & Damien Jalet.

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'An intriguing and mesmerising adventure'

- Deborah Searle, Dance Informa on Supernature by Australian Dance Theatre.

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'Unquestionably beautiful piece throughout.'

- British Theatre Guide on COAL by Gary Clarke Company.

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'Wasteland is a truly wonderful piece of dance-theatre: humane, politically charged, by turns funny and sad.'

- Anna Winter, The Stage 

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'Lou’s constant attention to detail about what is being created, and why, has forced me to understand my own work and practice at a level I never knew existed.'

- Gary Clarke 

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'From the beginning, I was struck by Lou’s grasp of group dynamics, her curiosity in and her understanding of contemporary performance and above all, her capacity to observe without intrusion or judgement.'

- Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui

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'Lou is an incredible collaborator: she occupies many spaces in any creative process  both personally and professionally, and when she’s involved she is fully and totally invested, helping translate our personal lives and experiences into creative gold dust. Both and Samsara and #JeSuis won awards and critical acclaim, and this

wouldn’t have been possible without Lou.'

- Aakash Odedra

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'Lou has a bright, witty intelligence, that simultaneously disarms and charms those

around her. She is able to make insightful observations about artistic process and emerging product, about dynamics in the room and in the organisation. She is open, curious, critical and reflective. She is never afraid to tell the truth as she perceives it, no matter how challenging this may be.

- Naomi Alexander, Artistic Director, Brighton People’s Theatre

 

'Working with Lou is a real gift to any artist and creative team.Her sensitive yet sharp observation and attentiveness to the tiniest of details in the

creative process, as well as to the dynamics and dialogue between the artists, are admirable. For me, it always was a sheer joy to collaborate and discover new things with her, with the unique energy she continuously brings to the team and to the works.'

- Yaron Abulafia – Scenographer

 

'It is great to be able to talk in depth to Lou about the work, she really goes on this journey with you. Being able to brainstorm and really see my work from all angles with her has been invaluable.'

- Stina Quagebeur

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Lou Cope

Dramaturg

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Lou Cope is a performance dramaturg based in the UK, working across theatre,

contemporary dance, ballet, opera, hip hop, performance for early years and

children, inclusive performance, South Asian dance, new writing and live art, in

scripted and non-scripted environments.

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As Britain’s most in-demand dramaturg she’s known for being able to efficiently help

an artist, their team and their work find shape, structure and resonance.

Lou helps collaborators navigate their way through complex processes during which

she can facilitate the testing of the work, and she seeks to ensure that an artist’s

intentions align with the needs of the producers – all with the goal of making quality

work that lands with audiences.

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She also offers ongoing artist support/coaching outside of production cycles, and

runs bespoke labs, masterclasses and support programmes.

Lou has a reputation for being creative, empathetic, candid and fun to work with.

 

Lou has worked across Europe, Australia, the Middle East, America and the UK with

some of the best known and most exciting dance, theatre and performance artists

across the world, including:

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  • English National Ballet

  • Birmingham Royal Ballet

  • Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui

  • Stina Quagebeur

  • Australian Dance Theatre

  • Aakash Odedra

  • Gary Clarke

  • Zoonation

  • Stopgap Dance

  • Rhiannon Faith

  • Jelena Kostic

  • Nordans

  • Les ballets c de la b

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Awards for shows Lou has dramaturged include: Olivier Awards – 2 x winner, 1 x

nominee, Benois Prize for Dance, Critics Choice Award, UK Theatre & National Dance

Award, Total Theatre Award, Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award,

The Samuel Beckett Prize, The ACTA Eastern Eye Award and the Summerhall

Lustrum Award.

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Lou has written a number of published chapters and articles on dramaturgy and

process, is an alumni of the Clore Pulse programme, John York's 'Story

Development for High End Television' and an RD1st qualified coach. She has also

produced two seasons of her own hugely successful podcast Downtime – talking

with dance artists and arts leaders about their work; and was nominated for the

Kenneth Tynan Award for Dramaturgy in 2021.​

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https://www.lou-cope.com

 

@lou.cope.92

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