Students set to take the stage at Latitude

Directed by artist and course leader, Gillian Dyson, the team, which includes students from all year groups on Leeds Metropolitan's Performance and Dance courses, has devised a 'roaming' performance entitled 'The Wagon' that depicts aspects of journeying, memory and togetherness.

Describing the performance, Gillian explains: "'The Wagon' travels through the field. Where has it come from? Where is it going? 'The Wagon' is suggestive of times past, with travellers carry their worldly goods with them. They remind us of migrant workers, travelling salesmen, or lost souls. Follow the itinerant group of somehow familiar characters as they journey to find a spiritual and physical home."

Gillian has worked with learning officer and professional stage manager Matt Sykes-Hooban on the concept of the piece, Leeds Met alumna artist Hannah Butterfield and dance tutor Sarah Roe.

Hannah, who graduated from MA Performance Works last year and has returned to work freelance at the University, said: "It's been great working with a group of students that I haven't met before. The really interesting thing about this group is that they are a mix of first, second and third year students, as well as from different courses. It is a great opportunity for the students to collaborate on their work and a chance for them to see that the external aspects of their courses can provide such a big learning as well."

Performer and BA (hons) Dance student, Lisa Clayton, commented: "I'm really looking forward to seeing how the audience will react to 'The Wagon'. Even though I've performed in front of crowds before, it's going to be a much different experience because the audience will be stood next to us, rather than watching us on stage. I'm really interested in working on festivals and events in the future so 'The Wagon' project has been a great opportunity for me."

Also set for the festival, is 'The Mothership Collective', a project devised by artist and lecturer Harold Offeh with students from Leeds Metropolitan University. Inspired by Afrofuturist artists like Sun Ra and George Clinton, the Mothership lands at Latitude Festival, where the collective in the guise of visitors from outer space will be collecting data on human behaviour. Through a series of playful and performative interactions, audiences will be invited to participate in a series of activities exploring utopian visions over 3 days.

'The Wagon' and 'The Mothership Collective' are being performed every day at Latitude. Check the festivalwebsite for details.