The Company

Polar Sequences (2003) Photo: Ravi Deepres

Wayne McGregor | Random Dance was founded in 1992 and became the instrument upon which McGregor evolved his drastically fast and articulate choreographic style. The company became a byword for its radical approach to new technology incorporating animation, digital film, 3D architecture, electronic sound and virtual dancers into the live choreography. Collaborations with leading multi-disciplinary artists enriched the company's futurist aesthetic and dramatically enlarged the possibilities of dance. In 2002, Wayne McGregor | Random Dance was invited to become Resident Company at Sadler's Wells.

Technology has also been crucial in Wayne McGregor | Random Dance's aim to deliver dance to the public in new ways. Among the company's groundbreaking projects have been webcasting live performances, and exploring broadband (ATM) bi-directional performance where two companies perform simultaneously in different parts of the world. It has also incorporated technology into its outreach work, which is high on the creative agenda.

In 2004, McGregor was appointed Artist-in-Residence at the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge. From this unique position, a select group of scientists and he conducted the background research into the relationship between dance and the mind from which AtaXia (2004) arose. The research and creation process behind Amu (2005), Entity (2008), Dyad 1909 (2009) and FAR (2010) continue the company's association with interdisciplinary art and science collaborations, which is now consolidated under R-Research.

Regularly supported by the British Council, Wayne McGregor | Random Dance tour frequently to some of the most prestigious world theatres such as Het Muziektheater, Amsterdam; Tel Aviv Opera; Lincoln Center, New York and Dansens Hus, Stockholm. The company's European tours have ranged from Ireland, France, Germany, Belgium and Holland to Poland, Hungary, Cyprus and Turkey. Wayne McGregor | Random Dance has also performed in Russia, Israel, Japan, China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Colombia, North America and Australia. In 2002 it became the first British dance company ever to tour central Asia and the Caucasus. The company has also made several television appearances including Nemesis (BBC4 2002) and Dice Life (Channel 4, 2004).

Wayne McGregor | Random Dance is Resident Company of Sadler's Wells, London and Associate Company of DanceEast, Suffolk. Wayne McGregor is the Resident Choreographer of The Royal Ballet, Covent Garden and is the government's Youth Dance Champion. In January 2011 he was awarded a CBE for his Services to Dance.

by Judith Mackrell