Quick Fire Questions

What did your parents give you?
Life.

When did you know you wanted to choreograph?
As soon as I decided to dance at the age of 17.

Dance has taken me …. ?
Into a beautiful, painful and savage world.

What impact did having a family have on you and your creativity?
Confirmed how I already approach the process.

Where do you live and why?
In a cellar in Somerset. I come out when I’ve got a new idea for a piece.

What do you think are the two most important qualities to have?
Compassion and a sense of humour. Getting up when you’ve been knocked down is pretty important too.

What do you think everyone is looking for? Is everyone looking for anything?
How would I know what everyone is looking for? I think if we could we’d probably want to understand death. We all have that in common.

Who is someone you admire?
I admire loads of people for different reasons, it’s difficult to pick out just one. Anyone who works hard for little or no acknowledgement. I see teachers doing that.
And Leonard Cohen…as an artist - and as a teacher.

Your dream?
Keep making the work and watch my children grow up.

Who is your creative adviser/mentor/collaborator?
Everyone I work creatively with.

What’s your ambition… either personally or professionally?
Make some movies, cut a blues album, write more books, go to America, get better at DIY – which is never going to happen.

Mark Bruce Company is performing Made in Heaven at the Tobacco Factory in Bristol from the 18th to the 20th May. Then on tour. For full details visit www.markbrucecompany.com