Dragons take flight at The Lowry to launch pioneering Autumn / Winter Dance Season
An avant-garde production from the ‘Enfant Terrible’ of Korean dance Eun-Me Ahn – direct from The Barbican in London – leads the Autumn/Winter Dance Season at The Lowry, Salford.
The Lowry plays a hugely important role in the national dance sector, presenting regionally some of the most significant national and international productions of the year as well as showcasing the new generation of artists.
Avant-garde choreographer Eun-Me Ahn presents Dragons – a joyful riot of dance, music and non-stop movement, which brings together modern and traditional dance styles from across Asia.
While dragons are feared in the West, in Asia they represent lightness, joy and optimism. Pioneering choreographer Eun-Me Ahn’s latest kaleidoscopic production sees her extraordinary company of dancers interacting on stage with stunning projections of five inspiring young performers from Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Taiwan.
Taeseok Lee’s vivid and colourful projections bring forests and clouded skies to life, and an evocative soundtrack from Jang Young-Gyu seamlessly blends contemporary pop and electronic music with a traditional score. The magic and imagery in the show will capture the imagination of adults and children alike.
This is a truly wonderful chance to see the work in the North West of one of the most important artists in South Korea, as she subverts traditional attitudes through this thought-provoking and visually striking piece.
Eckhard Thiemann, Programming Associate (Dance) for The Lowry, said: “Eun Me-Ahn is one of the most imaginative and successful Korean choreographers. Her works are a wild mash-up of tradition and techno, of exquisite detail and infectious energy, classical discipline and neon-coloured pop aesthetic. There is no one else like her: a loveable enfant-terrible with family appeal. We are immensely pleased to bring this ground-breaking production finally to The Lowry – in a first collaboration with the Barbican and the Korean Cultural Centre UK. Be prepared for a spectacular ride.”
Performed in Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Malaysian, and Indonesian with English subtitles. Eun-Me Ahn presents Dragons. Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th September.
The Lowry ‘Developed With’ Artist Bobak Champion presents I’m Muslamic, Don’t Panik! that sees spoken word meets dance, live music meets clowning. An intimate spectacle of identity, where being British, Iranian, and a Hip-Hop head collide. From Bristol to the Tehran marathon and back again, Bobak invites us to join him on a journey to accept his own heritage, against a media culture that holds fast to the idea that the Middle East is a frightening and dangerous place. A joyful evening of dance-theatre, it’s through meeting a series of weird and wonderful characters from across the world that Bobak is finally able to truly know himself. I’m Muslamic, Don’t Panik! Wednesday 4th October (also online).
The Forest Dream by Payal Ramchandani – a Newcastle-based exciting talent – is a wondrous tale inspired by the true story of ‘The Forest Man of India’, woven around his relationship with the mystical ‘Aranyani’, the Goddess of forests. It aims to highlight the urgency of climatic trauma that is befalling us due to selfish acts like deforestation and rampant industrialisation. Belonging to one of the largest river islands in the sometimes-ferocious Brahmaputra River, Jadav invites you to be a part of his tribe, his world, and of what he seeks. Weaving in Carnatic music with Western soundscapes, the production is a stylistic blend of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi (both South Indian classical dance styles), and contemporary dance. As the clock ticks irreversibly, this work, holding up a mirror to the current and the next generation, is an urgent plea to course-correct ourselves. The Forest Dream, Tuesday 10th October.
Dance Consortium presents Ailey 2: Ailey 2 is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the finest early-career dance talent in the United States with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding and emerging choreographers. For their return to the UK, Ailey 2 brings an exciting repertory featuring Francesca Harper’s futuristic Freedom Series (excerpt), Robert Battle’s thrilling The Hunt, the incredible energy of William Forsythe’s Enemy in the Figure (excerpt), and Alvin Ailey’s beloved masterpiece Revelations. Founded by Alvin Ailey, the company embodies his pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programmes for all people. Since its 1974 inception, Ailey 2 has flourished into one of the most popular modern dance companies, combining a rigorous touring schedule with extensive community outreach programmes. Today, with new Artistic Director Francesca Harper at the helm, she brings fresh perspectives to Mr. Ailey’s legacy, while nurturing new creative voices and propelling the company forward. Ailey 2, Friday 13th & Saturday 14th October.
Ballet Black: Pioneers. Now in their 21st year, Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black is excited to present award-winning choreographers, Will Tuckett and Mthuthuzeli November in a double bill of new and original work in Ballet Black: Pioneers. Will Tuckett’s Then Or Now, originally created in 2020, blends classical ballet, music and the poetry of Adrienne Rich to ask the question: in times like these, where do we each belong? The second piece on the bill is devised by award-winning choreographer, Mthuthuzeli November. Nina: By Whatever Means, is inspired by the artistry and activism of Nina Simone. November weaves a skillful picture of Simone’s turbulent and influential life to take us on an emotional and empowering journey. Ballet Black: Pioneers, Tuesday 31st October to Thursday 2nd November.
Unknown Realms evocatively shows us a picture of the world and what is happening now – the world we once knew is becoming one we have yet to understand. Rooted in African and contemporary culture, ACE dance and music collaborate with two internationally acclaimed Black male choreographers Serge Aimé Coulibaly and Vincent Mantsoe. Performed against dynamic multidimensional soundscapes by Andy Garbi and Yvan Talbot, two stunning contrasting works examine the past and present with consciousness and contemporary sensibility, six dancers rise from the ashes with powerful explosive dance that uncovers the rich history of lives lived; memories, human struggle and people letting go… An all-embracing, multi-layered production that celebrates sheer mortality, perseverance and hope overcoming adversity. Unknown Realms, Friday 19th & Saturday 11th November.
Seeta Patel marries Indian classical dance and Western classical music in her The Rite of Spring.
Taking the South Indian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam, with its intricate rhythmic footwork, geometric and dynamic movements and expressive prowess, Seeta Patel has created a compelling interpretation of the iconic The Rite of Spring. Unusually, this version subverts tradition by choosing a male as The Chosen One, elevating him to a deity to whom all sacrifice themselves. This is a spiritual exploration of a work through an Eastern philosophical lens. This is a rare chance to see Bharatanatyam performed in an ensemble piece. As an added feature, Seeta Patel will open the evening’s show with a solo performance accompanied by South Indian musicians. The piece shows Bharatanatyam as it is often presented in a solo format and will take us on the journey of Mother Earth from birth to destruction, preparing us for Her deliverance through The Rite of Spring. Accompanied by a recorded score by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, this is a Rite of Spring but not as you know it. Rite of Spring, Tuesday 21st November.
Anatomical presents Snowed In. Four friends wake to find they are completely snowed in, and a magnificent adventure unfolds in this playful, interactive family show. Our friends dream up an incredible imaginary hotel. A place where magical dances and stories are discovered. A topsy-turvy world where adults are nowhere to be seen. They’re free to dance down corridors, to sing their hearts out, to throw snowballs, and to venture into the mysterious Room Zero…if they dare. Snowed In, Friday 24th to Sunday 26th November.
Matthew Bourne’s magical dance production of Edward Scissorhands has carved a place in the hearts of audiences worldwide since its premiere in 2005. Based on the classic Tim Burton movie and featuring the hauntingly beautiful music of Danny Elfman and Terry Davies, Bourne and his New Adventures Company return to this witty, bittersweet story of an incomplete boy left alone in a strange new world. In a castle high on a hill lives Edward; a boy created by an eccentric inventor. When his creator dies he is left alone and unfinished with only scissors for hands until a kindly townswoman invites him to live with her suburban family. Can Edward find his place in the well-meaning community that struggles to see past his curious appearance to the innocence and gentleness within? Edward Scissorhands – Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Tuesday 28th November to Saturday 2nd December.
And 2024 looks set to be just as exciting for dance fans as 2023 – with The Lowry welcoming partner companies Birmingham Royal Ballet (The Sleeping Beauty) in March and Rambert (Death Trap) in April.
For more information please visit https://thelowry.com/whats-on/genres/dance/
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