DAZZLING dance and stomping tunes will captivate families as the world premiere of a show set in an extraordinary gaming world.

Breaking Tradition, the UK’s leading folk and hip hop dance company, and multi award-winning folk powerhouse The Demon Barbers, is staging QUEST, which promises to be a ‘rousing and unforgettable’ show for seven to 12-year-olds and their families.

Launched on May 25 at Bradford’s south Asian community arts centre Kala Sangam in Forster Square, it has been aimed specifically at younger audiences, while also capturing the imagination of adults.

Founded by Damien Barber, its artistic director, the company has developed its own unique repertoire of folk and hip hop dance fusion. QUEST will be the first Breaking Tradition performance in their new home in Bradford, from where it will tour nationally in autumn.

“We have been producing folk and hip hop dance shows since 2009, trying things out with Yorkshire Dance in Leeds,” says Damien, who is also front man of The Demon Barbers. “we wanted to create a show for seven to 12-year-olds, for families.

“They are quite a difficult age group to create shows for. It was a challenge to span the age range and include parents, and make it entertaining. There is a mixing of generations, with different experiences of gaming.”

An Arts Council grant allowed them to carry out research and examine ideas. Material was presented at Yorkshire Dance, before an application was made to the Arts Council which succeeded in full funding for a show and UK tour.

A number of schools were consulted, helping in particular with marketing. “We wanted to make the image and posters attractive to that age group,” says Damien.

Written by award-winning writer and actor Stacey Sampson, QUEST fuses Morris, clog and sword dance with popping, locking, breaking and martial arts to the beat of new songs and traditional melodies with an electronic edge bring to life the story of Kai’s search for his missing sister which draws him in the extraordinary computer game…FOREVER QUEST.

The central character is called Kai, with a sister named Gem. Gem, an expert in gaming, and Kai, who is skiled in martial arts, have drifted apart. When Gem disappears Kai discovers that she has been taken into the gaming world.

“It is going to be very different - I don’t think there will be any show like it,” says Damien, one of eight performers taking part.

“We’re all excited to be producing a new dance show specifically aimed at a younger generation and look forward to the challenges of incorporating traditional folk customs into the digital world. We’re also really chuffed to be launching the premiere at our new home at Kala Sangam.”

Breaking Tradition raises the profile of traditional English dance, music and song through integration with modern genres. The company aims to emphasise the cultural importance of traditional English heritage through delivery of high quality, accessible performance and education.

Widely recognised as the UK’s leading folk and hip hop dance company and has developed its own unique repertoire of folk and hip hop dance fusion.

Alex Croft, Kala Sangam’s Creative Producer added: “We’re proud to be supporting Breaking Tradition, one of our resident companies here at Kala Sangam, to bring this fantastic new show to life. Breaking Tradition creates work that’s unique and their mix of folk and contemporary styles is perfect for us as we look to broaden the range of work we put on and the communities we reach. I’m delighted we’re able to give audiences in Bradford, where this work was created, the chance to see it first.”

* Tickets cost £10 standard and £6.00 concession and are available from Kala Sangam, St Peter’s House, 1 Forster’s Square Bradford BD1 4TY Tel: 01274 303340 and online at kalasangam.org. Also see breakingtradition/production/quest