* Specialist In Physical (Movement-Based) Theatre
* Contemporary-Interpretive Dancer
* Movement & Mummery
* Choreographer & Director
* Writer & Teacher
Presenting Her Shows with a Combination of
Drama, Monologue, Humour & Dance
INTRODUCTION --- Born in Germany of British parentage, Niki McCretton moved at the age of seven to the United Kingdom where she continues to reside and work in South West England. She began her professional training in Physical Theatre at Fool Time, Britain's first school for circus arts, and went on to specialise in trapeze in Paris, France. In 1992, she was a founder of Shiftwork Physical Theatre Company in Scotland which achieved acclaim for its highly visual work, touring the United Kingdom and to southern Africa. In the late 1990s, she studied Contemporary Dance at Coventry University in Coventry, Warwickshire, England.
An experienced teacher known for her work facilitating others to dance and for creating works with all ages, Niki created five dance works for Bridgwater Arts Centre with the staff of five local businesses in Bridgwater, Somerset, U.K. in conjunction with The Year Of The Artist in 2000-01. Called the Bridgwater Dance Challenge, the project culminated in the performance of the pieces in the five workplaces and included architects, builders, lawyers and librarians.
At the end of February 2006, Niki completed an 18-month term as Associate Artist for Somerset County as appointed by Dance South West (U.K. regional dance agency for South West England) while based at The Merlin Theatre in Frome, Somerset with whom she is currently an Affiliated Artist. Effective 23 January 2006, Niki was appointed Associate Artist at The Lighthouse (Centre for the Arts) in Poole, Dorset, U.K. Her appointment was renewed for 2007.
SPECIAL NOTE --- This biography is current only as of May 2007. For complete, updated biographical information on Niki McCretton, please contact Niki directly through the Contact Information page listed in the Archive Home Page Menu ... or visit Niki's Official Website (Click Here).
SPACE 50 --- A multimedia physical-theatre show, Space 50 celebrates a half-century of space exploration. 2007 marked the 50th Anniversary of mankind's first step to the threshold of outer space with the launch of Sputnik I by the Soviet Union back in 1957. Space 50 is based on the memories of those who have been on a lifetime's journey, and have witnessed dynamic change and planetary rites of passage. Endorsed by Sir Arthur C. Clarke, Space 50 is a 70-minute performance with two live performers (and one on film), space walks, animation and an original score. Suitable for ages 11 to 111, it began touring the U.K. after receiving its World Premiere on 10 February 2007 in the ICIA Arts Theatre at the University of Bath in Bath, North East Somerset, U.K.
MUTTNIK: THE FIRST DOG IN SPACE --- Niki's second family/children's show entitled Muttnik: The First Dog In Space is a solo physical-theatre piece commissioned by the Brindley Arts Centre in Runcorn, Cheshire, U.K. and Somerset's Take Art! organisation. Muttnik was enthusiastically received by appreciative audiences during the 2004-05 UK Theatre Season. Niki also performed Muttnik at the inaugural Recklinghausen Fringe Festival in 2005 and at British Dance: Edition 2006. She presented Muttnik at the 2006 Edinburgh Fringe Festival (where it received two four-star official reviews) and by popular demand, she toured Muttnik again during the Fall 2006 UK Theatre Season. Niki has made Muttnik available as a companion show to Space 50.
RELATIVE --- Niki's creation for the 2005-06 theatre season - in collaboration with multi-disciplinary artiste Kathy Hinde of Bristol U.K. - was Relative, commissioned by the Nuffield Theatre in Lancaster, Lancashire, U.K. Relative received a special debut on 23 April 2005 with an outdoor, site-specific presentation in Morecambe, Lancashire - followed by a "work-in-progress" stage performance at the Nuffield on 07 May 2005. Relative's Official Premiere was held at the Nuffield on 15 October 2005. It toured to great acclaim during the 2005-06 UK Theatre Season and performed at the 2006 Recklinghausen Fringe Festival in Germany.
THROW ME A BONE --- Niki's first solo physical-theatre show for children - Throw Me A Bone - was commissioned by the Prague Fringe Festival where she presented the piece during two festivals in 2003 and 2004. She also performed the show to wide acclaim at two North American fringe festivals in 2003 - in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada and Seattle, Washington, USA - and toured the show in England to sold-out audiences during the 2003-04 UK Theatre Season. Niki was also invited to perform Throw Me A Bone at the 2005 Recklinghausen Fringe Festival.
HERETIC --- Her second solo show for adult audiences, Heretic, toured to rave reviews in North America during the 2003 Fringe Festival Season and won the award for Best Physical Performance at the 2003 Winnipeg Fringe Festival in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Funded by Arts Council England-South West, it also toured during the 2002-03 UK Theatre Season and was presented at the 2003 Prague Fringe Festival. Heretic was developed in collaboration with UK performance artiste Guy Dartnell who co-created and directed.
WORM-HOLE --- Niki's first solo physical-theatre project for mature audiences, Worm-Hole, received a Five-Star Rating at the 2001 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland and was invited to tour internationally during the 2002 Fringe Festival Season following performances throughout the 2001-02 UK Theatre Season. It received critical-and-audience acclaim at the 2002 Prague Fringe and at seven North American fringe festivals, winning the award for Best Physical Theatre Production at the Victoria Fringe Festival in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Niki was also invited to perform Worm-Hole, along with her two children's shows, at the 2005 Recklinghausen Fringe Festival.
21 TALES --- During the 2005-06 UK Theatre Season, Niki performed in 21 Tales, a show choreographed by Debbie Fionn Barr (The Fionnbarr Factory). 21 Tales premiered 01 August 2005 at Lighthouse Centre For The Arts in Poole, Dorset.
"Niki Choreographs Youth Dancers" by Piers Rawson
