Legendary choreographer Robert Cohan CBE turns 90

Thursday 26 Mar 2015 @ 14:32
Arts Council England

A series of events this week are set to mark the 90th birthday of Robert Cohan CBE.

The Place in London is hosting events today, Thursday 26 and Friday 27 March, which will include new works, a gala performance and an exhibition of photos to celebrate Robert Cohan’s extraordinary influence on dance in Britain over the last half century.

Three new pieces have been specially commissioned for this event from Cohan and artists Tony Adigun and James Cousins. These new works form part of a programme that both looks back at the iconic works created by the choreographer in the 60s and 70s, and firmly puts the focus on the artists who are driving the artform forward today.

Widely recognised as a key founding father of British contemporary dance, Robert was the first Artistic Director of The Place, one of the Arts Council’s National portfolio organisations.

Born in Brooklyn, in 1925, Robert Cohan enjoyed dance classes as a child, but was first struck by dance while doing military service in the second world war, when he saw the Sadler's Wells Ballet (later the Royal Ballet) while on leave in England.

His award-winning choreography is internationally renowned and in 1988 Robert Cohan was awarded an honorary CBE in recognition of his outstanding contribution to dance in the United Kingdom. Over his time at The Place his work extended to the furthest reaches of the country; inspiring teachers, students and audiences. His contribution to the arts, which continues today, has been formative in shaping dance landscape we know and understand today.

Cate Canniffe, Director Dance at Arts Council England said: ‘Robert Cohan has had an extraordinary influence on the growth and development of contemporary dance in England; and on artists and practitioners in the field. The Arts Council’s portfolio would be very different today without him. On behalf of the Arts Council, I hope he enjoys his 90th Birthday celebrations at The Place this week.’

You can find out more about the programme of events to mark Robert Cohan’s birthday on The Place website.

Channel website: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/

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