ELIOT SMITH: RETURN
Overview
As part of the annual celebration marking the 15th anniversary of Eliot Smith Dance, founder and choreographer Eliot Smith returns to the stage for one night only at Alphabetti Theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne. Born and raised in the city, and having retired from performing in 2021, this special evening celebrates not only a milestone for the company but also Smith’s personal journey in dance.
Set in an intimate, up-close setting, the evening will feature a powerful triple bill programme that reflects the past, present, and future of Eliot Smith Dance.
This performance also pays heartfelt homage to everyone who has supported Eliot Smith Dance over the past 15 years our audiences, dancers, collaborators, funders, and friends — whose belief and dedication have shaped the company’s journey.
Join us for a personal evening of dance, memory, and creative renewal.
Interrupted Souls by Lorenzo Pagano
Originally created on Eliot Smith in 2016 and revived for 2026, Interrupted Souls is a deeply physical solo exploring interruption, endurance, and the fragmented self. The work is choreographed by Lorenzo Pagano, Guest Artist and Assistant Rehearsal Director at the Martha Graham Dance Company.
Hunter by Eliot Smith
The premiere of a new, intimate solo exploring heritage and place. Inspired by the shipyards of Wallsend, Hunter reflects on the communities, labour, and lives that shaped the banks of the River Tyne, offering a personal meditation on identity and belonging. The work is set to a newly commissioned score by award-winning composer and Eliot Smith Dance's Composer in Residence, Adam Johnson.
New Work (Title to be Confirmed) by Nicole Vivien Watson
The premiere of a new solo choreographed by Nicole Vivien Watson, Founder and CEO of Surface Area Dance Theatre. Performed with two chairs, the work explores the physicality and psychology of two contrasting sides of Eliot's identity, creating an intimate portrait of conflict, connection, and self-reflection.
Tickets
EVENT INFORMATION
Dates & Times
Thursday 03 December 2026
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7:30 pm
Running Time
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Approximately 80 minutes
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Includes a 15 minute interval and 20-minute post-show talk
Age Guidance
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Suitable for ages 8+
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Contains recorded music
♿ Facilities and Accessibility at Alphabetti Theatre, click here
The Dancer and Choreographer
Eliot Smith is a respected British dancer, choreographer, and the Chief Executive and Founding Creative Director of Eliot Smith Dance (ESD). Since founding the company in 2011, he has become recognised for creating emotionally driven contemporary dance that combines powerful storytelling with collaborations across music, visual arts, and design. Trained at the London Contemporary Dance School and the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance in New York, his work is deeply influenced by the legacy of Martha Graham while remaining firmly rooted in the people, landscapes, and heritage of North East England. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), a Trustee of The Bowes Museum, and was honoured with the title of Honorary Friend of the British Federation of Festivals in recognition of his ongoing contribution to the performing arts.
Smith's work has been presented across the UK and internationally, including in Rome, Paris, and Denmark, and has received recognition for its artistic excellence, accessibility, and commitment to social and environmental responsibility. In 2022, he and Eliot Smith Dance received the One Dance UK Green Dance Award. He is also the self-published author of Martha & Me, a book tracing his personal journey and enduring passion for the work and legacy of Martha Graham.
Guest Choreographers
Lorenzo Pagano is an internationally award-winning contemporary performer whose career has spanned across Concert Dance, Theatre and Opera. He started his career by joining the Martha Graham Dance Company in 2012 and becoming a Guest Artist and Assistant Rehearsal Director in 2023. He has embodied the most iconic male roles of the repertory and originated starring roles for new works by Lucinda Childs, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Nacho Duato, Andonis Foniadakis, Pontus Lidberg, Hofesh Shechter, Pam Tanowitz among others.
He has danced with Paris Opéra former Étoile and Artistic Director Aurélie Dupont in Martha Graham’s Lament and was appointed Assistant Choreographer for the Holiday Event in collaboration with Christian Dior and Martha Graham Company at Sack’s NYC in 2023.
Pagano was honoured with the Italian International Dance Award as “Male Rising Star” in 2016 and the Premio Nazionale La Sfera d’Oro in 2022.
Lorenzo is currently Director of Martha Graham Resources.
Nicole Vivien Watson has over twenty years of experience in the arts. She is the Executive Director and Founder of Surface Area Dance Theatre, a charity she established in 2007. Under Nicole’s leadership, Surface Area Dance Theatre has been included in Arts Council England’s National Portfolio for 2023-26. Her collaborative work has involved partnerships with leading national and international organisations such as The British Council, Arts Council England, Brooklyn Arts Exchange, The Barbican, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, and the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation.
As a dynamic and highly motivated researcher, Nicole earned a rigorous MA scholarship from the School of African and Asian Studies (SOAS) at the University of London in 2021, where she specialised in East Asian Buddhism, Japanese history, and Shogun iconography.
Nicole facilitates creative projects across disciplines, effectively communicating ideas to diverse audiences through multiple platforms. British Sign Language (BSL) is her second language, and she is a passionate advocate for BSL and D/deaf culture. With support from the Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund, she completed five years of accredited education in Sign Language and Deaf Culture in 2021. Nicole promotes collaboration between D/deaf and hearing communities, working to build international relationships with Deaf arts ambassadors in the UK, Japan, Greece, and North America.
Acknowledgments
Eliot Smith: Return is an Eliot Smith Dance production and acknowledges the support from Alnwick Playhouse, Surface Area Dance Theatre, Alphabetti Theatre, The Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement, The Friends of ESD, and anonymous donors.
