Rhiannon Faith, who is the Artistic Direct of ‘Rhiannon Faith company’, is bringing her show, The Date, to the University’s Bedford campus on Wednesday 18^th February as part of a tour backed by the Arts Council England.

A former Bedford-based Dance Performance student herself, Rhiannon graduated from the University in 2005.

As well as now running her own company, she is passing on the wealth of her knowledge to current Bedfordshire students in her role as a Visiting Lecturer.

“The University is a very special place to me. Coming back to lecture is a unique experience because I teach students in the rooms I used to learn in myself,” said Rhiannon who spoke of her fond memories of the University.

“When I come back now it has changed so much. There has been a great deal of venue development here which is fantastic and it really feels a firmly established university.

“One thing which is consistent however is the high standard of teaching.

“Without Bedfordshire and the lecturers I would not be where I am today. At Bedford we got a very different perspective of dance to elsewhere. The classes were unique, and visionary, well ahead of their time in terms of what we learnt.

“Being a Visiting Lecturer myself now is something I’m really proud of. It’s a privilege to come back, and I love it. I am able to use my experience from my learning both at the University and within the dance sector to support the students’ ambitions.”

The Date is a show about sex in the 21st Century, loneliness and friendship. It focusses on two dancers who hook up whenever they perform together and is based on a true life story.

The production, on at 7.30pm at the University, is in-keeping with the company’s ambitions to create autobiographical shows exposing the sweet, fragile and devastating aspects of human relationships.

In addition to being at the University, it will also have a London premiere at Battersea Arts Centre in March. 

Rhiannon added: “This will be the first time I’ve performed back at the University. And it’ll probably be the most nerve-wracking performance I’ve done for a long time really, taking me back to being 18-years-old!

“I’m really looking forward to it.”