Art director started dance company at just 14

A director, who founded a company when he was just 14 to make the arts more accessible, has been touring the country with his latest dance production.

James Bamford, 20, from Yeovil, Somerset, established the award-winning Project Dance in 2018, which has grown into "a pioneering force in dance-narrative theatre".

All That Matters - a story about the joy of memory and the heartache of loss - has a final performance at Westlands, in Yeovil, on 30 August.

"The show is designed to appeal to anyone and is really exciting whether you've never set foot inside a theatre before, or love to go to the Royal Opera House," Mr Bamford said.

"What we're really interested in is opening up the idea of how people can have positive emotional experiences through dance and feel better connected to themselves and the people they love."

Mr Bamford started Project Dance because he felt fortunate to be able to articulate his emotions in a way that did not need speech, but he realised not everyone had that opportunity.

He began by inviting friends to send in dance clips to music which he then made into short movies.

"I slowly tried to convey the idea that dance could be for everyone, from the outside it can be perceived as an intimidating art form," he said.

Mr Bamford has ambitions plans for the future, growing the company, creating bigger productions and continuing to work with schools and communities to increase access to the arts.

He is also returning to Yeovil this year to choreograph the annual festive pantomime at the Octagon Theatre.

"I think everyone has dance within them; when we're happy, we dance," he said.

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