Dance Like Nobody's Watching

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About Dance Like Nobody's Watching

Step back in time to Vienna, 1918 and into composer Arnold Schönberg’s radical underworld. 

Tired of the ignorance and conservative mindset of establishment types, critics, and celebrity musicians of the time; Schönberg dreamed of a new counter-culture. In revolt, he founded the ‘Society for Private Musical Performance’, a space where - free from judgement - Schönberg and his fellow adventurers could indulge their love of popular music.

In Dance Like Nobody’s Watching we invite you into Schönberg’s inner circle. Conductor Charles Hazlewood and acclaimed mezzo-soprano Bethan Langford, along with a Paraorchestra ensemble, create an intimate atmosphere - daring, vivid and powerful.

Bespoke projections by visual artist and filmmaker John Minton, who has worked with artists such as Portishead, Sleaford Mods and on Paraorchestra’s Minimalism Changed My Life, will combine with these era-defining orchestral reductions to transport you to Schönberg’s escapist utopia.

More information about Dance Like Nobody's Watching

Number of performers

13 ensemble members with conductor Charles Hazlewood 

Previous dates

18 March 2025 - Bristol - Bristol Beacon, Lantern Hall (Premiere)

4 October 2025 - London - Southbank Centre

Repertoire

J Strauss II: Kaiser-Waltzer (Emperor Waltz), Op.437 arr. Schoenberg 
Schoenberg: No.1 Vorgefühle from 5 Orchestral Pieces, Op.16 
J Strauss II: Lagunen-Walzer (Lagoon Waltz), Op.411 arr. Schoenberg 
Schoenberg: No.2 Vergangenes from 5 Orchestral Pieces, Op.16 
J Strauss II: Schatz-Walzer (Treasure Waltz), Op. 418 arr. Webern 
Schoenberg: No.3 Der wechselnde Akkord (Der Traunsee am Morgen) from 5 Orchestral Pieces, Op.16 
---
Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen arr. Schoenberg 
Schoenberg: No.4 Peripetie from 5 Orchestral Pieces, Op.16 
J Strauss II: Wein, Weib und Gesang (Wine, Women and Song), Op.333 arr. Berg 
Schoenberg: No.5 Das obligate Rezitativ from 5 Orchestral Pieces, Op.16 
J Strauss II: Rosen aus den Suden (Roses from the South), Op.388 arr. Schoenberg 

An incredible experience. I found myself stunned into complete stillness.

Audience member

Watch the trailer

Production images

  • Paraorchestra are performing on stage at Lantern Hall in Bristol Beacon. They are all wearing white and are being led by conductor Charles Hazlewood. Behind them is an abstract projection of a woman dancing. The stage is dramatically lit in hues of green and white.
  • Paraorchestra are performing on stage at Lantern Hall in Bristol Beacon. They are all wearing white and are being led by conductor Charles Hazlewood, who is standing at the front of the stage and has his right arm outstretched. Behind the performers is a projection of birds soaring through an orange sky.
  • Bethan Langford, a soprano singer, is performing on stage with Paraorchestra. Bethan has shoulder-length dark hair and is wearing a flowing white dress. Behind her are other members of the Paraorchestra ensemble. They are also wearing white and are sitting and playing their instruments. Behind the musicians is a projection of birds soaring through a serene blue sky.
  • A violinist is performing on stage. They have long brown hair and are wearing all white. They are a wheelchair user. Beside them are other players within the ensemble as well as sheet music stands. The stage is dimly lit in warm lighting.
  • Paraorchestra are performing on stage at Lantern Hall in Bristol Beacon to a large audience. Behind the musicians is a projection in which green text reads 'Dance Like Nobody's Watching' set to a dark pink background. The conductor is stood at the front of the stage with their arms outstretched.
  • An orchestra is performing on stage. The image shows the silhouette of a cellist performing with other ensemble members vaguely visible. The stage is dimly lit and a projection is seen behind the musicians of an animated eye set to a dark pink background.

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