London Contemporary Dance Theatre

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The London Contemporary Dance Theatre was a contemporary dance company, based at The Place, which was founded by Robin Howardand Robert Cohan as its Artistic Director, during the 1970s and based on the ideas of Merce Cunningham and Martha Graham.

The company was probably the first contemporary dance company in the United Kingdom and played a pioneering role in developing this art form.

Choreographers such as Siobhan Davies and Micha Bergese worked alongside composers like Barrington Pheloung to create new works which were premiered at the Sadler's Wells Theatre and toured the UK.

Well-known works created by the company include Cell(1969) Forest(1976) Nympheas(1976) Stabat Mater(1976)

• Sphinx 1977
• Rainbow Bandit 1979
• Run Like Thunder 1983

It closed in 1994 and was succeeded by a number of companies, including the Richard Alston Dance Company, the Robin Howard Dance Theatre, and the Siobhan Davies Dance Company.

The company also formed the London Contemporary Dance School, which awarded its first degree in practical dance in 1982. The school is still in operation and is now part of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama.