Watch: The WAVE

Lisi Perry

Applied Theatre & Community Drama and Dance lecturer 

I was commissioned by LEAP Dance Festival 2024, which is directed by LIPA Acting lecturer Paul Doyle, to create a mass movement film with dancers from across the region to showcase a diverse range of styles, ages and communities.  

It started with the idea of The WAVE representing the Mersey River tide, and how, as it ebbs and flows, it brings treasures to the shore. I started the work with the 1st Year Dance Students here at LIPA and large blue balls. This developed into crashing and undulating waves which could then ignite pockets of dance from communities around the city.  

The groups included LIPA Sixth Form College Dance and Musical Theatre students, Men! Dancing!, Powerful Gal Bacchanal, 50 Moves, Cody Urban Dance, Liverpool Hope University Dance students and ballroom dancers Ben Cosgrove and Shannen Stocks.

Early in the process, I worked with LIPA Music graduate Tom Ashbrook, who also works in the Dance department as an accompanist, on a newly composed score to draw on sounds from the city, and in the latter stages with local film maker Anna Levin, these were both new collaborations for me which I enjoyed immensely. 

All our planning and rehearsals came together in the centre of the city with the Gardens of St George's Hall providing a beautiful backdrop. The sun shone down on us, and all groups brought their own choreography and joy to our film day. I am thrilled with the outcome and extremely proud of all 100 performers in the film and hope that you enjoy watching it too! 

Lisi