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Caroline's approach is characterised by its honesty and depth, humour and freshness. She is equally at ease with the creative challenges of large, complex productions and intimate events.

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She has worked with leading film directors Franco Zeffirelli, Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Peter Kosminsky and for stage directors Jonathan Kent, Anthony Page and Elijah Moshinsky.

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She develops strong individual performances with movement coaching. She has worked with many artists in this way including David Bowie, Juliette Binoche, Jennifer Connelly, Diana Rigg, Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz.

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Previously Caroline had a successful, varied and long dance career, which informed her movement style. She performed with many artists including Michael Clark (London), Lloyd Newson (London), Martha Clarke (New York) and Second Stride (London and Europe).

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Caroline’s latest work for television ‘Nearly Famous’ is currently screened on consecutive Thursdays in November 2007, 11pm on E4. 

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Here, Caroline Pope talks about her work in conversation with Anja Schall, Dance UK.

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You have just completed the filming of ‘Nearly Famous’ a TV Drama, which will be screened on E4 from 8th November onwards. ‘Nearly Famous’ is set in a fictional music & drama school - you choreographed the actors and dancers.   How do you adapt your creative vocabulary and methods when working with actors? Which aspects do you enjoy most and what are the challenges?

This was a very exciting and fun project to make actors feel like ‘dancing and acting students’ in training. This drew closely, both on my real experience of teaching in drama schools and my memories of being a dance student.

One of the main challenges was authenticity. Some actors rapidly caught on and developed very believable dance performances, which was not in the storyline! I found I had to spend time ‘taking off’ the polish, much to their disappointment!

‘Ropemakers’ (2007) is a further film project you worked on, which won an award for best documentary. Here, you have taken on the double role of Dancer and Choreographer. The film was shot on location in Chatham and Portsmouth Historic Dockyards.

Would you tell us a little more about the choreographic research and rehearsal process?

Quite a bit of time was spent in the library as this brief required detailed historic dance material from the 18th and 19th century as well as some surreal moments. There was a very small budget so we rehearsed early on set in full costume wigs and make-up to keep us on track and on time. (I did spend a lot of time at home working it all out for a few days beforehand though!)

Recently you have been Movement Director on the National Theatre Studios workshop production of ‘All the Daughters of the War’ a new play by Charlotte Keatley. You have also created ‘Blanche’ for a Moscow Theatre this month, which is a cabaret piece.

Which aspects do you most enjoy being involved in live stage production?

For me theatre has its own special buzz; in each performance the timing and emotion is always slightly different and it is wonderful to share the humanity of it all with the performers and audience, isn’t it.

You have worked internationally - as a dancer and choreographer. How have these experiences influenced and informed your work as a movement person and individual?

I am very lucky to have met and worked with some of the most talented dancers, choreographers and directors of their generation. My experiences and therefore influences have been across the spectrum, from Michael Clark’s wild originality to Eleanor Fazan’s essential and focused insights. So I hope my work will continue to evolve. I recently worked with a Performing Artist and her troupe for the Basel Arts Fair, Miami Beach, Berlin and in London at the Tate Triennial; through all of this marvelous chaos, I did manage a little structure and that helps because I find that the ground rules and goals posts are always shifting.

It has been fascinating to hear you speak of the varied experience you have been gathering and how you continuously develop your skills base, working in many different settings and environments.

If you had to pick one moment in your career that is most memorable to you what would that be?

Well I’ve got lots of those but one of them must be dancing with David Bowie.

What is the momentum that keeps feeding your curiosity?

Obsession really…

And where would you like your career to take you?

Onwards and upwards and oh to that wonderful little Opera House in the middle of the Amazonian Rain Forest!

Imagine Anna Pavlova dancing there…

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For more information and contact details please visit Caroline Pope / UK Choreographers Directory or contact Anja on 020 7713 0730 or email anja@danceuk.org