Dora Frankel Ensemble is a group of dancers, with associate artists from other disciplines, who create immersive, site responsive, beautiful dance works, live and film that highlight climate and environment and celebrates genderfluidity and equality.
We offer performances, residencies, workshops, lectures and events with a focus on reaching diverse audiences in a variety places. We stand with all dancers, including trans, intersex and non-binary. Our touring is committed to a minimum carbon footprint
Inspirational and caring engagement is inspired by our current repertoire of signature eclectic and dynamic works - see our What’s On page!
Currently focused on reframing our work, particularly since 2012 we have a number of small interventions coming up across 2026. Check out our socials for details.
We’re delighted to be part of MOCA Movements 2026. Further details https://www.moca.london/exhibitions.html
Fragments of Poe.
“The best show at the [Durham] fringe.”
Fragments of Poe is a versatile, immersive performance specially created for unusual settings.
It explores some of the greatest Gothic horror tales by Edgar Allen Poe, framed by the queer aesthetic of artist Aubrey Beardsley.
Small scale and adaptable, this show is currently available to book.
Explore our current repertoire.
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The Poe Saga
A compelling, multi-layered and immersive retelling of some of the tales of Edgar Allan Poe, exploring gothic romance and horror through dance theatre, film, spoken word...
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Trails
Trails is an evening of extracts from the trilogy inspired by the work of landscape painter JMW Turner (1775 -1851) and created by Dora Frankel and...
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Tread Lightly on the Planet
The final part of the JMW Turner inspired trilogy,Tread Lightly on the Planet found new ways to connect during Covid. The piece is a cry of pain, ending on...
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Touch the Beast
Touch the Beast is a multi award winning dance film and performance which evokes a Gothic world through the lens of the 21st century. Featuring a...
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Figures in a Floating Landscape
Figures in a Floating Landscape is an outdoor/indoor immersive performance, fusing music and dance, created with composer Peter Coyte. It takes...
Semi Improvised Site Responsive Work.
Dora has performed site responsive, semi improvised work her entire career.
The latest performance, on June 21st, Midsummers Day, was part of the exhibition To Own Both Nothing and the Whole World by Henna Asikainen and Roua Haranieh at Baltic Gateshead and was a response to the outdoor Oak Root installation.
Part of Refugee Week 2025, this piece was co-commissioned by Baltic, Counterpoints Arts and Friends of the Earth, UK.
With thanks to:
“I’m thrilled to be dancing again, using all my senses to respond to Henna and Toua’s beautiful and important exhibition. The themes resonate deeply with me and I have worked outside and site responsively for many years!”
— Dora Frankel
“Magical”
— Audience member
ABOUT
Dora Frankel
Choreographer, Performer, Educator, Mentor, Dance Reviewer.
“Dora Frankel’s choreography is meticulous, every glance and gesture communicating an intention, with a satisfying balance between repetitions and ephemerality.”
— Pagan Hunt, Commotion