Lowry’s award-winning associate artist Thick & Tight bring new work ‘Natural Behaviour’ to Salford

Lowry is thrilled to welcome back Associate Artists Thick & Tight with their latest dance-theatre production Natural Behaviour, coming to the Quays Theatre on 10 & 11 June direct from its premiere at Battersea Arts Centre (3–7 June).

Natural Behaviour is a vivid and provocative collection of performed portraits of human and non-human life forms. Blurring the lines between a variety show and a biology essay sprung to life, it’s a queer, poetic look at what it means to be ‘natural’ or ‘unnatural’ – highlighting the essential role of diversity in all life forms. With a style unmistakably their own, Thick & Tight blend dance, satire, impersonation and poetry to create work that is outrageous, beautiful, hilarious and profound.

Audiences can expect a line-up that includes two moths, some post-apocalyptic cockroaches, a blade of grass, the dust in Quentin Crisp’s room, a lamenting songbird, a human tyrant and a lesbian seagull.

Thick & Tight’s co-directors Daniel Hay-Gordon and El Perry are joined by a cast of remarkable dance artists: Annie Edwards (Candoco), Azara Meghie (Ray Young, Talawa), Luigi Nardone (BalletBoyz, Holly Blakey), Jahmarley Bachelor (Punchdrunk), and Corali Dance Company. Natural Behaviour is designed by Tim Spooner, Pam Tait, Darren Evans and Nao Nagai.

Antonia Beck, Senior Producer: Artist Development at Lowry, said: We’re incredibly proud of our long-standing relationship with Thick & Tight as Associate Artists at Lowry. Their work is inventive, boundary-pushing and rich with personal and political insight – exactly the kind of bold and joyful performance we want to champion. Natural Behaviour is a brilliant example of what can happen when artists are supported over time to take creative risks and produce ambitious, career-defining work. We’re excited to share Natural Behaviour with audiences here in Salford following the company’s debut at Battersea Arts Centre.”

For over a decade, Thick & Tight have performed at leading UK venues including the Royal Opera House, Barbican and Sadler’s Wells, alongside iconic LGBTQIA+ nights and community spaces such as Duckie, Moth Club and Posh Club. Their most recent production, Tits & Teeth (2024), won an OFFIE award and played to sold-out audiences at Lowry and the London International Mime Festival. As co-directors, Daniel and El are committed to challenging narrow definitions of ‘artistic excellence’ and championing dance as a political art form – one that entertains while confronting social stigma and opening up space for new voices.

Natural Behaviour comes to Lowry, Salford on 10 & 11 June. For more information and tickets visit www.thelowry.com.