Productions

Home is where our story begins. It’s not always a place – it’s a condition, a feeling, a sense of connection. It shapes who we are. Hold Tight explores how adverse childhood experience, abrupt change and enforced separation impact on young people’s lives.

VDT’s new production features lullabies recorded this summer with Ukrainian refugees living in Poland. Four adults and three young people reflect on home, family and belonging and how, when we long for intimacy and connection, sometimes we just have to Hold Tight.

Hold Tight has been made in response to the past three years of isolation and dislocation – a period where global events have been at the forefront of everyone’s lives. The production is suitable for audiences 14+ and contains images, sounds and scenes that some people may find upsetting. There are references to war, violence, suffering, death and sexual assault, loud sounds of gunfire and shouting in the work. If you are affected by the themes, need support or know someone who may need support, the following organisations may be of use.

“Really beautiful very, very moving” ILP Audience member & Q+A participant

“I loved the multi-layering and your varied use of media. I thought this enabled the audience to have a sense of the confusion around our children… I actually think it was so profound that some were stunned into silence. I think many will be processing what they experienced for many weeks.” Louise Michelle Bombèr, Strategic Attachment Lead Teacher & Therapist (ILP Post-show Q+A Panel Member)

VDT is a National Portfolio Organisation, funded by Arts Council England. Hold Tight is supported by South East Dance.

Who's Who

• Directed and Designed by
  • Charlotte Vincent
• Performed by
  • Robert Clark
  • Antonia Grove
  • Janusz Orlik
  • Aurora Lubos
  • With young performers Tia, Charlotte and Hannah
• Understudy
  • Sorrel
• Composer
  • Jules Maxwell
• Lighting Design by
  • Nigel Edwards
• Production Manager
  • Mat Ort
  • Steve Collis

Trailer

Tour Dates

Wednesday 2^nd November, Brewery Arts, Kendal, 8pm, 01539 725133

Friday 4^th November, Unity Theatre, Liverpool, 7.30pm, 0151 709 4988

Tuesday 8^th November, The Arts Centre, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, 7.30pm, 01695 584480

Due to an unforeseen maintenance issue in the Rose Theatre, Edge Hill University have made the decision to cancel our performance of Hold Tight on Tuesday 8 November 2022.

Saturday 12^th November, Barbican Theatre, Plymouth, 7.30pm, info@barbicantheatre.co.uk

Tuesday 15^th & Wednesday 16^th November, The Place, London, 7.30pm, 020 7121 1100

Saturday 19^th November, Riley Theatre, NSCD, Leeds, 7.30pm, 020 7121 1100

Thursday 24^th November, Norwich Theatre Playhouse, 7.30pm, 01603 630000

Director's Note

Hold Tight has been made in response to the past three years of isolation and dislocation, a period where global events have weighed heavy on my mind and on this process. I was unsure whether to make this, whether the conditions were right, whether the moment had passed, or might never come.

The work is broken, unfinished and fragmented, attempting to piece together something in a hostile environment, conjuring images from rubbish, with our imagination and the children the only pathways out of the darkness and into the light.

Charlotte Vincent