Alan is a renowned choreographer of national and international reputation. Since 1986 he has developed an idiosyncratic style of fluid, athletic movements that explore issues around LGBTQ + themes. Spoken word and dance are mutually fascinating to his creative process and he has recently begun to explore his own creative writing as a way to compliment his choreographic development.
He created over twenty productions for X Factor Dance Company and Alan Greig Dance Theatre, and has reworked his show ‘Echoes’ for Jin Xing Dance Theatre in Shanghai, China. Echoes was part of a gender exploratory double bill that has toured all over China. Alan has created over fifty-five works for youth groups, community group, Colleges and Universities.
His latest work ‘Within Reach’ is a dynamic new solo show that plays with notions of gender, sexuality, age and time. Blending text, theatre, dance, and humour, Alan channels some of our greatest Queer Icons (Tennessee Williams, Quentin Crisp, Joan Crawford, Kate Bush and Bette Davis) in a part-autobiographical, part-act of wild fantasy and performance. Who are we, who we have been, and who we might become?
With his choreography constantly evolving for his ageing body, Alan’s site responsive and adaptive collection of monologues is skilfully woven with graceful moves and improvisation to create an abstract and compelling show of innovative, accessible dance. ‘Within reach’ will utilise new and unusual spaces in public buildings, literally placing both audience and performer ‘within reach.’
Notable commissions:
“Funkily entertaining, unpretentious work.” Dance Europe.
The strength of Alan’s choreography lies in the ability to communicate with the audience by confronting real and universal issues with intelligence and humour. Alan’s work is rich in collaboration with writers, lighting designers, and specially commissioned sound scores.
His choreography has explored a wide variety of subjects, drawing inspiration from movies, TV shows, books, music and the complexities of emotional and sexual relationships. His works are visually compelling, accessible and entertaining. Using stand up comedy, music and spoken word text, his shows resonate and stay with an audience long after the performance ends.
Alan was artistic director, choreographer and performer with X Factor Dance Company (1990-2009). The company was one of Scotland’s consistently innovative and thought-provoking dance companies, enthralling critics and audiences alike with a unique repertory of work.
“The power of dance to weave new worlds has been harnessed beautifully by the X Factor…rich and unforgettable work” The Stage.
The Company toured Scotland’s leading venues and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, London (South Bank Centre/Bonnie Bird Theatre), Cologne, Nuremberg, Hong Kong, New York and Shanghai.
Alan created twenty-one pieces for the company including the controversial Sexual (1997), an exploration of gay male sexuality, and Unspoken (2000) a haunting tale of a drowned brother, told through liquid moves and sensuous duet work.
The Dearly Departed (2002) asks ‘what happens to us after death?’ revelling in the conflicting beliefs held around the world and Uncanny (2005), a witty look at the bizarre and unusual, is set somewhere in the twilight zone and celebrating the oddball.
Other Voices, Other Rooms (2008) is a site-specific romp through the free masons building in Edinburgh and Into the Light (2009) is a one man show spanning two decades performed at the Shanghai Dance festival, China.
X Factor was also at the forefront of dance education offering classes, workshops, curtain raiser performances, lecture demonstrations and post show discussions to grow audiences and develop dance throughout Scotland and beyond.
“This is a thought –provoking, atmospheric, funny and likeable work, which packs more into 45 minutes than many shows manage in two hours.” The Scotsman.
X Factor Dance Company was a client of the Scottish Arts Council, The British Council and Creative Scotland, reaching core funding status. In 2009 the company joined forces with ex Petronio dancer and New York ‘Bessie’ award winner, Gerald Casel Dance. Together they created Query, which toured Scotland and performed for three nights at the Cunningham studios in New York City.