THE WINGED CRANES is created by Alle Valle in 2007 to explore themes related to identity and the relationship-commitment between artist and social political change through the use of different puppet techniques, physical theatre, multimedia and new waves of expression. It is an open company that wants to work on specific projects with other artists through collaboration and mutual understanding.

Alle Valle, Spain, is a director, performer and puppet maker and has worked extensively in Spain as an actress including with her former company El Relo. After performing in Miami for the Hispanic Theatre Guild she received a Fulbright grant in 2005 to study directing ( Sarah Lawrence College, New York)  where she studied with the American puppeteers Dan Hurling, Basil Twist and Tom Lee.

Her work there included directing the Spanish play The Labyrinth, by Arrabal, at the Cannon Theatre, New York. In New York she met the London based company Blind Summit Theatre Company, performing for Madame Butterfly with whom she has built a strong relationship. She came to the UK with them in May 2007 to study the bunraku  technique and has worked with them as a performer on The Call of the Wild (Royal Opera House) and An Odd Angel (Battersea Arts Centre) and also as a puppet maker on Low Life, Fairies (Royal Opera House) and On Emotion (Soho Theatre). Alle's next project is with Croatian Company Bacaci Sjenki (Summer 2009).

Collaborators:

Raquel Mateos, Spain, is a dancer and choreographer (trained in Java, Bali, Kalari and Bharatanatyam). She also teaches yoga, pilates & tai-chi. She trained in contemporary dance and ballet in Spain and when she moved to London in 2003 attended further training at Lewisham College and Kensington & Chelsea College. She has performed with Spiral Arts at Rudolf Steiner House (2005), at the Lilian Baylis Theatre with her solo piece The Searcher (2006) and at the London Mela with Jasmine Simhalam (2007). She is currently working with Byawyian Martial Arts.

Dajana Trtanj, Croatia, Dajana came to London to study Film & Media at Birkbeck University. In 2007, she worked as a host and usher on Punch Drunk Theatre's Masque of the Red Death at Battersea Arts Centre, where she continued her association working on their Young People's Theatre programme with Inspector Sands Theatre Company, creating the show Stronger Even Then Me is We (or Woof, Woof Kerching). Last year she acted in and wrote the short film, Nesto Nepoznato (Something Unknown), which was shot in Split.

Hyper VJ - Visual Designer - Spain, Hyper VJ is an eclectic visual artist now living in London. He has worked on media, advertising, video installation and video creation in Spain, China and London. He was part of the Studiozero crew video installation design and execution, and his past works include the audiovisuals for Duolun Museum 696 in 2006 and Space Ibiza Shangai in 2007. He has recently worked on the visuals for Peter Tong and Sara Man, and is currently building a new studio based in London to work with visual and sound artists.

Chris Lince - Lighting Designer - UK, Chris has been if.comedy-award-winning comedian Brendon Burns' Technical Director for five years, as well as designing lights for numerous comedy shows in London and Edinburgh. He has worked extensively with director Benet Catty and is frequently doing all manner of things at the Cockpit Theatre. Chris is also a writer, director, and graphic designer. www.chrislince.co.uk

Pilar Ferre - Photographic Designer - Spain, graduated in Photographic Arts from Westminster University. She is currently writing an MSc thesis in Refugee Studies. She has worked as a photographer, exhibiting her work at Trinity Buoy Wharf and Tristan Bates Theatre among other places. Her latest projects include Tobacco Farm, in Western Massachusetts, an she is currently preparing an exhibition on the 'Line Border' based on her trip to the Spanish territories in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla. She continues opening borders with her work and life.

Kelly Lovelady - Sound Designer - Kelly is an orchestral conductor and independent producer. Through her performance company, Pazzia Contemporary Performing Collective, she has collaborated with musicians from the Australian Opera Studio, Australian Ballet, Young Lungs Dance Exchange, Cirque Eloize, Leigh Warren & Dancers, Kurruru Indigenous Youth Performing Arts, Pomp Duck and Circumstance and Queen of Puddings Theatre. Kelly has recently been appointed Associate Conductor of the West Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra. Future projects include developing a chamber orchestra for outstanding Australian musicians in London in conjunction with the Tait Memorial Trust.

Jeni Roddy - Costume & Set Designer - Jeni graduated from London College of Fashion (Costume for the Performing Arts 2008). She has worked as a Designer/Maker with Jade Travers Productions (LifeCycles Parts 1 & 2,Some Auld Lads Dreams & Love, Life... and other Malarkey), Dancing Shadows (Ashes and Macbeth), Bedrock (Far Away - hats from the show were selected for a celebration of theatre design in Ireland: EXTR.acts Irish Theatre Design 2002-2006, and were chosen as part of a selection to represent Ireland in Scenofest Prague 2007), Mairead Vaughan (Anima and Animus) and Lisa McLoughlin (Tender Hooks of Honesty, winner of the Jayne Snow Award).
 

  Contact On: contact@thewingedcranes.com