Olive Branch

Olive Branch is a poetic tale of rediscovering the wonder and beauty that nature provides. Following the new and unusual friendship between two strangers, they quickly learn to overcome differences, despite miscommunications, by developing trust and acceptance, an alliance is formed to defend mother nature.

Olive Branch is a feel-good, funny and dynamic dance duet that intertwines contemporary dance with martial arts. Olive Branch is for children and families, made for the outdoors and perfect for schools. Choreographed by Laura Vanhulle and Oliver Robert Russell, the show is rooted around the themes of:

• The importance of preserving green spaces

• Celebrating uniqueness and Neurodiversity

• Resilience

Choreographed and performed by Laura Vanhulle and Oliver Robert Russell

Music composed by Domenico Angarano

Dramaturg: Sue Buckmaster

Creative Producer: Adam Towndrow

Images at City Of Wings by Stefan Vanwildemeersch

Studio images by Simon Richardson

Trailer by: Jon Fraser

Throughout the research and creation period, Laura and Oliver delivered workshops and shared extracts of Olive Branch to school children in and around the Fenlands and Swindon. All of the feedback gained during these workshops was used to help inform the development of the show and to test it’s appeal to young people. Vanhulle Dance Theatre reached over 700 active participants and received an overwhelmingly positive response.

Olive Branch…Playground Edition was commissioned by the Place in 2024, a shorter more compact version of the show which toured to playgrounds and festivals across the UK, as part of a double bill.

Through out 2024, Olive Branch’s first year of touring, the show has been performed over 120 times and reached over 20,000 audience members.