VERVE, the international touring dance company of Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD), is thrilled to announce its 2026 tour featuring a captivating triple bill of contemporary dance works.
Beginning with a highly anticipated premiere at the Riley Theatre in Leeds on 6th March, the tour promises to inspire, challenge and engage audiences through bold, thought-provoking choreography that redefines the boundaries of contemporary dance.
Each year, VERVE commissions renowned international choreographers to push the limits of movement and storytelling. For 2026, VERVE is proud to collaborate with three ground-breaking artists, who each bring their unique vision and artistic voice to the stage.
This year, the programme includes collaborations with Alethia Antonia, Andrea Costanzo Martini and Oona Doherty.
These three contemporary dance works showcase the breadth and variety of the genre, offering audiences a range of experiences that evoke and challenge.
Biographies:
Alethia Antonia (They/Her) is a British Caribbean, West Yorkshire based independent choreographer, performer, teacher and researcher. Alethia’s practice incorporates various movement practices/music/singing, and academic frames to explore artistic/socio-political questions related to identity. Their practice also explores accessibility, decolonisation and using dance as a place to reimagine and heal.
Andrea Costanzo Martini, born and raised in Italy, began his dance training at Danzicherie in Cuneo, Teatro Nuovo in Turin, and the Heinz Bost Stiftung Ballet Academy. He has performed with renowned companies such as Aalto-Theater, Cullberg Ballet, Inbal Pinto and Avshalom Pollak Dance Company, and danced with both the Batsheva Ensemble and Batsheva Dance Company.
Oona Doherty studied at St Louise’s comprehensive college in Belfast, The London School of Contemporary Dance, University of Ulster and Trinity Laban, London. From 2010 she has performed with various companies and was, Ballet Preljocaj artist in residence 2023/24. In 2021, she was awarded with Venice Biennale Silver Lion in 2021
VERVE is the postgraduate company of Northern School of Contemporary Dance and features 18 exceptionally talented dancers from 8 different countries. These young artists, trained at some of the world’s most prestigious conservatoires, are on the cusp of launching their professional careers and their dynamic performances are at the heart of this diverse and boundary-pushing programme.
The company aims to inspire, provoke, and captivate audiences on its upcoming international tour, beginning with a world premiere at the Riley Theatre in Leeds on 6th March 2026.
Artistic Director of VERVE, Matteo Marfoglia said:
“I’m thrilled to announce our Spring 2026 tour, which will take VERVE to both national and international stages, presenting an exciting programme featuring choreographies by UK artists and internationally renowned makers. At VERVE, we take pride in our commitment to artistic excellence and our continued collaboration with artists from around the world, while attracting talented students from every corner of the globe.
This year, I’m especially delighted to welcome back VERVE alumnus Alethia Antonia, whose participation reflects the rich creative journey that begins with VERVE and continues beyond it. We are also honoured to work with Andrea Costanzo Martini, whose creations are performed by leading dance companies across Europe, and Oona Doherty, as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of her acclaimed work Hope Hunt.
I’m looking forward to presenting this vibrant triple bill, which embodies the diversity and depth of contemporary dance and leads audiences through emotional landscapes that can only exists in dreams. So, let’s dream together and come to see us this spring”.
The VERVE 2026 Tour will visit multiple cities across the UK and internationally. With each performance, VERVE aims to not only push the limits of physical expression but also to spark conversation and reflection on the ever-changing nature of contemporary performance.
For their 2026 tour, the company will perform across 17 dates at 11 different venues. See below for all tour dates:
VERVE 2026 Tour Dates – below:
13 & 14 Feb: Geneva PREVIEW
Fri 6 Mar: Riley Theatre PREMIERE
Sat 7 Mar: Riley Theatre PREMIERE
Wed 11 Mar: JVHome (Kent)
Fri 20 Mar: The Place (London)
Sat 21 Mar: The Place (London)
Tue 24 Mar: Nuffield Theatre (Lancaster)
Fri 24 April: MAC (Birmingham)
Fri 1 May: RWCMD (Cardiff)
Wed 6 May: Leeds Playhouse
Wed 13 May: Harrogate Theatre
Sat 16 May: New Adelphi Theatre (Salford)
Sat 21 May: Equilibrio Dinamico x VERVE (Riley Theatre)
End of May: Italy – dates coming soon
Visit their website for more information.