DV8

DV8 Physical Theatre, commonly known as DV8, is a British contemporary dance theatre company based in London. It was founded in 1989 by Lloyd Newson, who has served as artistic director. The company is internationally recognized for creating works that fuse dance, theatre, documentary material, and visual design to explore social and political issues.

DV8's productions are characterized by a documentary-inflected approach, sometimes incorporating verbatim interview material, spoken word, and video alongside highly physical movement. The work often centers on topics such as gender, sexuality, violence, class, and cultural conflict, aiming to provoke discussion and reflection. The company collaborates with dancers, writers, designers, and musicians to build integrated performances that challenge conventional forms of narrative.

Since its inception, DV8 has toured extensively around the world and has been a major influence in contemporary dance, particularly for audiences seeking theatre that engages directly with real-life experiences. Its productions have received critical acclaim and contributed to debates about the boundaries between dance and theatre.

In other contexts, DV8 may refer to non-performance uses or products; this article focuses on the DV8 Physical Theatre company and its artistic output.