036: Finding Flow: The Evolving Practice of Dancer and Choreographer Liam Francis

“The place is one of hybridity. We're trying to create a hybrid space for ourselves to exist in, that we construct from the inside and that the audience can see it from the outside, but they don't see it with the same intention that we've built it."

Liam Francis

IIn this episode of the Shapes in Motion Podcast, Stephen Moynihan speaks with choreographer and international dance artist Liam Francis, who shares his journey into dance. Reflecting on his early influences and training, Liam discusses how his career began with Zoonation Dance Company before becoming a leading dancer with Rambert Dance Company, where he performed works by some of the world’s most influential choreographers.

Liam speaks about the importance of mentorship, artistic curiosity, and the development of an embodied practice shaped by hip hop, contemporary dance, and ballet. He explores the idea of flow state in performance and how collaboration continues to shape his creative voice. The conversation also highlights Liam’s recent choreographic work A Body of Rumours, a project centred on brotherhood, trust, and support among dancers, and his broader ambition to create a hybrid movement language that transcends traditional boundaries.

About Liam Francis

Liam is an international dance artist, spanning dance, theatre, musical theatre, film and television. His career began at Zoonation Dance Company (2009-2014) and saw him become a leading dancer with Rambert Dance Company (2014-2021). Liam has performed works by renowned choreographers, including Bruce, Cherkoui, Cunningham, Duke, Eyal, McGregor and Shechter.In 2021, he was nominated in Dance Europe’s ‘Dancer of the Year’ and Tanz magazine’s ‘Best Male Dancer’.

Liam is an award winning choreographer, presenting his own choreographic work in Hannover, London, New York, Rome, Rotterdam and Paris. Liam is keen collaborator and seeks to explore how his eclectic embodied knowledge (hip hop, contemporary and ballet) can find new configurations. He has been commissioned by Rambert, Skånesdansteater, Ballett Theater Trier, SALLY Dansgezelschap Maastricht, Salt Dance and Shechter2, as well as working on the creative team at The National Theatre and The Donmar Warehouse.

In 2019, Liam created the Artistic Gremlin Workshop; a resource that supports creatives to explore, share and discuss the challenges that accompany creative processes. This workshop is delivered at grassroots level through to industry leading organisations.

Liam is also the Founder and Artistic Director of Liam Francis Dance Company, which launched in 2025. 

Chapters

The Journey to Dance

Training and Influences

Exploring Flow State in Dance

The Experience at Rambert

Choreography and Creative Process

A Body of Rumours: Themes of Brotherhood

Future Aspirations and Projects

Website and social links:

Website: www.liamfrancis.co.uk 

Instagram: @Liamfrancisdance 

To get in touch with Sarah visit www.sarahperrymovement.com and follow @sarahperrymovement on Instagram.
To get in touch with Stephen visit www.stephenmoynihan.net and follow @stmoynihan on Instagram.