“HUG by Levantes Dance Theatre is exactly that: a big, pink, warm embrace of an outdoor show which wraps its audiences up in a world of exploring the ups and downs of friendship and inherent tensions and joy. The show features colourful designs with charismatic dance and circus performers and culminates with a visually striking solo sway pole moment.”
“Stylish design, endearing performers, and popular music combine to make HUG a very enjoyable piece of work”
Sho Shibata, Director, OutdoorArtsUK
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For booking enquiries please contact: eleni@levantesdancetheatre.org
SUMMER 2026 DATES
6th & 7th June Whirligig Festival, Weston-super-Mare
14th June Now Then! Festival, Sherburn-in-Elmet
22nd August Wonder in the Street, St Helens
26th August, Full House, Houghton Regis
27th August, Full House, Ampthill Park
30th August Greenbelt Festival, Kettering
5th September THE FULL SHEBANG FESTIVAL, Mansfield
12th September Wonder in the Street, Leigh, Wigan
19th September Encounter Festival, Preston
HUG & HUG EXPERIENCE is a vibrant outdoor contemporary circus theatre performance and living installation that promises to engage audiences in a unique exploration of relationships - between people, objects and the environment that surrounds us.
Through a fusion of aerial dance, physical theatre and striking visuals, the audience is invited to rediscover the power of touch, connection and the simple act of a hug.
HUG: a reminder of our shared humanity and the power of touch to heal, uplift and inspire.
CREATIVE TEAM
Artistic Director / Choreographer: Eleni Edipidi
Assistant Choreographer: Nathan Johnston
Costume Designer: Abby Grewcock
Set Designer: Becky Minto
Set Maker: Scott Bisset
Producer: Carina Simoes
Touring Stage Manager: Adam Mulligan
Stage Manager: Georgia Batterley
Psychologist: Joy Griffith
Sound Artist: Robert Howat
Performers/ Devising: Berta Contijoch Sanllehi, Gabbie Cook, Leah Wallings, William James, Marta Beccatini, Grace Monchar, Alex De La Bastide
Composer / Sound Design: Rob Howat
Mixing Engineer: Danny Trouton, Tree Song Studios
Sway Pole specialist: Alessandro Pietrolini
HUG is supported by Without Walls and commissioned by Ensemble Festival, Brighton Festival, Stockton International Riverside Festival. Supported by Centre 151. Supported by 101 Outdoor Arts Creation Space.
PAST TOUR DATES
2025
Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Norwich
Brighton Festival, Crawley
Refract Festival Sale, Sale
Ensemble Festival, London
Stockton International Riverside Festival, Stockton-on-Tees
“HUG is an extraordinary piece that engages audiences in a truly innovative and emotional way. The performance was both intimate and immersive, creating a powerful sense of connection in the space. Brilliantly performed, vibrant, and full of warmth, it captivated everyone who took part. The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with several expressing how deeply it resonated with them. It was a beautiful and impactful addition to our NNF Festival programme. ”
photo credit: Roswitha Chesher
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“H U G is a giant, pink, inclusive embrace for audiences – captivating to watch for all ages and for audiences who might be new to dance, contemporary circus and outdoor arts. I watched audiences smile, breathe deeply and be wowed by the work, which brings people closer together and creates unforgettable warmth. The design is visually captivating, creating intrigue and brilliant energy for all festivals, while the show manages to combine both gentle energy with craft and beauty, keeping audiences captivated – a testament to the skill of the creative team and ensemble.”
“Three youthful, enigmatic and utterly captivating women gave a joyful, sensual and breathtaking performance at Encounter Festival in Preston. HUG, by @LevantesDanceTheatre, explores touch in all its forms, our relationship with our environment, with objects, with texture and shape, and with the things that physically support us. But beneath this was something much deeper, our connection to one another. The dancers explored the language of the body and how we communicate without words, how we sense and respond to another person, how we express our inner world, and how we allow ourselves to be held, supported and understood. What I found particularly beautiful was the relationship between these 3 women.
They were completely present with one another. Trusting, surrendering and responding to each other with such ease, almost like they were reliable objects, that their movement seemed almost seamless to the next body. They flowed from one body to the next, supporting and holding each other sometimes literally, in beautiful circus-like balances.
They looked and moved with elegance, there was never anything forced about their strength. Each woman retained her own individuality, character and style, while simultaneously celebrating the others. They lifted each other up, both physically and metaphorically. It was AMAZING to be in the presence of.
There was something deeply feminine in the way they moved together strong, graceful, sensual and playful, without ever losing their softness.
I left with a deep admiration for these three women and their artistry.
For me, HUG was more than a performance about touch. It was a beautiful expression of the healing power of touch, the language of connection, and the profound strength of women raising, supporting and holding women.
This was women holding women in their wholeness.”
audience member