Busk

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Introduction

Project Dance is a Somerset-based dance organisation operating at the intersection of artistic excellence, social purpose, education, and early-career talent development. Led by James Bamford, who founded Project Dance 8 years ago when he was 14, the organisation creates and tours emotionally accessible dance theatre, underpinned by a clear commitment to access, youth voice and the long-term sustainability of dance careers.

Meet Our Director

James Bamford

James is a producer, choreographer, educator and the Director of Project Dance. He has conceived 3 feature length touring works: Growing Pains, All That Matters and BUSK, and has so far curated 8 years of ambitious community, youth and professional programming for the organisation, as well as having founded the Project Dance Charity Foundation.

As a creative, James works across commercial and subsidised projects in musical theatre, pantomime, contemporary dance, classical ballet, corporate events and children’s theatre. He has a deep passion for mentoring young artists, supporting them as they pursue professional education and later as they embark into the professional sector.

James graduated from London Studio Centre with a 1st Class Honours Degree in Theatre Dance (Classical Ballet) and is currently completing a Master’s Degree in Dance Producing and Management.

Originally premiered in 2025, BUSK is a soulful, gritty and toe-tapping narrative dance theatre production which tells a story of hope, redemption, and the unbound power of music.

Anchored by a folk-inspired original score by Charles Harrison, the show is set at the Fox and The Fiddle pub, where laughter and heartache in equal measure live within the walls of the establishment and the hearts of its visitors.

Inspired by classical, contemporary and hip hop forms, BUSK’s movement language is distinct and uniquely characterised by dancers performing with violins, where bodies communicate what words cannot, and collide with the harmonies, clashes and crescendos of life.

❝ One of the most compelling things about BUSK is how damn good the story-telling is ❞

❝ It is no idle compliment to link the names of Bamford and Bourne – and as a side-step, it is no great stretch to picture Bamford’s Hugo and Busker in Bourne’s famous Swan Lake ❞

Fine Times Recorder

❝ Busk is about flawed, but good people doing their best, and it is most certainly about the boundless power of music ❞

❝ An experience to behold of mesmeric proportions ❞

Yeovil Press

“Busk is a life enhancing dance work that engages with both the joy and heartbreak of what it is to be young, alive and human. The nature of such a poignant work relies totally on the emotional interpretation and beating heart of a musical score … and boy will audiences be blown away by Charles Harrison’s passionate mix of rhythmic, soulful and often delicate music that skilfully and effectively propels the dance.”

Ivor Novello award winning composer Richard G. Mitchell

During the premiere tour, BUSK achieved 60 – 75% occupancy, with over 1250 tickets sold across four venues

The Tour at a glance

Confirmed Venues:

Westlands, Yeovil
The Blakehay Theatre, Weston-Super-Mare
The Royal Academy of Dance, Wandsworth
The Albany, Coventry
South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell
The Exchange, Sturminster Newton
The Lights, Andover
The Stag, Sevenoaks
The Atkinson, Southport
Palace Theatre, Mansfield
The Ustinov Studio, Bath

Map Key

Venues

Venues with local cast

Workshops

Groups of 15 workshops

Outreach

Utilising Project Dance’s vast experience in social engagement, the BUSK Tour’s development activity offers more than one-time novelty; aiming to have a lasting impact on the particpants it reaches. Career development signposting, performance opportunities and free access to live performance are embedded. Confirmed Engagement Activities:

27 Schools Workshops
13 Curtain Raiser CYP Groups
4 Post-Show Q&A’s
3 Open Company Classes
2 Sets of Local Casts
1 Free School’s Matinee

❝ I really enjoyed learning from someone closer to my age, I felt like I could connect to them better ❞

Hannah, Year 9

❝ I used to dance, but when I started secondary school I kind of lost my confidence. Now I feel like I want to ask if we can do more dance here because it made me enjoy it again ❞

Allie, Year 7

❝ I used to feel really nervous about going to a dance school because I thought I might not be good enough. But this class helped me feel braver and has given me more confidence ❞

Jacob, Year 5

❝ This workshop has made me feel more confident with my choreography skills, which will help with my grade ❞

Sophie, Year 10