Dance with Parkinson’s
Our regional programme of creative dance for people living with or affected by Parkinson’s, or similar neurological conditions.
Groove and Flow
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Groove and Flow 〰️
A seated to standing movement class for people affected by Parkinson’s, MS, or other neurological conditions.
Join us for friendly weekly sessions, moving to music. Classes are led by specialist artists and are aimed at building strength, balance, confidence and coordination.
Newcastle
Wednesdays
11:30-12:30
Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend
Alnwick
Fridays
14:00-15:00
Small Hall, Lindisfarne Centre
Journeys In Motion
This Summer we’ve been working on an exciting dance film project celebrating the 200-Year history of the Stockton and Darlington Railway!
We’ve been working with groups in Wallsend, Stockton, Darlington, and Bishop Auckland, exploring creative movement inspired by locomotion and the idea of Journeys.
Watch this space to see the finished film…
Thank you to Darlington Borough Council for funding this project, as part of the S&DR200 Festival.
Past Projects
HOMECOMING: Spirit of the Sycamore
The LWDP NE Performance Group worked with specialist artists from Pelican Theatre to create a dance piece inspired by Sycamore Gap. Reflecting on the life of the tree, and responding to the legacy artwork Coming Home by Charlie Whinney.
The group performed the piece at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre on Saturday 21st March 2026, after an open workshop with friends, family, and members of the public.
Homecoming: Spirit of the Sycamore by Pelican Theatre and the Live Well and Dance with Parkinson’s Performance Collective. Film by Jasmine Stephenson.
Locomotion
Inspired by the 200 Year anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, the first passenger railway in the world, this piece celebrates the wonder of travelling.
Drawing from memories of exciting train rides, from India to Northumberland, Locomotion invites audiences on a memorable journey.
Performed at Cullercoats Festival and Dance City for World Parkinson’s Day 2025.
Choreography by Pelican Theatre
Supported by Eve Walker
Turn of the Tyne
The River Tyne is one of the UK’s most iconic rivers and a key cultural landmark of the North East. It is a river of great contrasts, from its rising tributaries in the remote hills of the Scottish Borders, to the strength of its industry running through Newcastle and Gateshead, to its eventual emptying into the vastness of the North Sea.
Olivia Paddison and the Live Well and Dance with Parkinson’s Performance Collective explored the journey of the Tyne and its rich industrial history through creative movement, embodying the ever-changing tides and turns of the river as it winds through the landscape, nurturing life, community, and memories.
Choreographer & Director: Olivia Paddison
Producers: Pagan Hunt and Ellie Trow
Film & Edit: Jasmine Stephenson
Synergy
A piece that celebrates the unique energy of each group member, and the power of coming together to make something special.
Performed at Gateshead Metrocentre Community Hub for World Parkinson’s Day 2023
Choreography by Pelican Theatre
Supported by Eve Walker and Lynn Campbell
Vallum Hadriani
We were commissioned by People Dancing to work with the Live Well and Dance with Parkinson’s Performance Collective, to create a piece for the Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Festival.
Hadrian's Wall is a long-standing reminder of the might of the Roman Empire; the strength and bravery of the soldiers who defended it, and the resilience of the wall itself to have survived 1900 years.
It is also the site of the 83-mile Hadrian's Wall Path; a beautiful walk through some of England's best countryside, where thousands of people come every year to enjoy the serenity of nature, and observe the fragile, crumbling remains of the wall itself.
Over 12 weeks the dancers have reflected on this relationship between strength and fragility, conflict and serenity, military and nature, to take our audience on a journey through the history of the wall.
Performed July 28th 2022 at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre
Choreography by Pelican Theatre
Supported by Molly Grey and Olivia Paddison
Three performers reach their arms together, sitting and standing on a grassy rooftop
A group of performers move gently with soft, white fabric
The group are sat and stood in two rows on a wooden rooftop, a long stretch of heavy white material connecting each of them
A male performer with a green t shirt and short grey hair is seated in some long grass, arms raised, with a focussed expression on his face
Ellie sits to watch the group dancing all together, on the wooden rooftop
A group of people of all ages are sitting in a circle, dancing with colourful scarves
Two dancers are in the foreground waving yellow and orange scarves, others are also dancing in the background. Everyone is smiling.
Ellie and Pagan hug eachother, a smile visible on Pagan's face
A full group photo of the performers, Ellie and Pagan, producers, and creative team, all smiling to the camera.
Photography by Gabriel Watt, Alice Stroyan