Robbie Synge


“Douglas” (50’)

  • Choreography and performance: Robbie Synge
  • Lights: Brian Gorman
  • Sound: David Maxwell
  • Dramaturgical assistance: Peggy Olislaegers
  • Commissioned by: Yorkshire Dance (as part of the respond_ project)

Robbie Synge is based in the Scottish Highlands and originally studied BSc (Hons) Physiology at Edinburgh University. Before working in the science, health and education sectors in the UK and abroad before studying dance at Laban, London. Robbie was a semi-finalist in The Place Prize for Contemporary Dance 2012, sponsored by Bloomberg with Settlement in 2014. Ongoing work involves developing collaborative projects with artists and organisations in the craft and visual arts.

Dance meets sculpture meets garden shed. Douglas shares the spotlight with simple objects in a choreography of cause and effect. Douglas arranges objects – usually carefully. Objects arrange Douglas – sometimes spectacularly. In this surprising, vulnerable and humorous solo, the audience has the privilege to enter the world of a solitary character. He makes connections the best way he knows how – through trial, error and boundless curiosity. Douglas stems from physical actions imagined by Robbie Synge while working on various daily tasks at home in The Highlands of Scotland. The work was developed throughout 2014, outdoors and in Evanton Village Hall.