Projects

Birder

Credits;

Dancer: Alexandra Carter
Camera operator and editor: Kira Mayes-Barwick
Music: Robin Rimbaud-Scanner
Concept and movement direction: Mary Davies

Programme notes: Filmed in a domestic space Birder hints at a metamorphosis between human and bird. As the camera roams the bodily landscape boundaries blur between the imagination and reality, and an internal and external world. Minutia are accentuated by a hypnotic sound score created by musician Robin Rimbaud.

The Space Between

The Space Between presents a short encounter between two mature dancers. Progressing from stage to film presented the opportunity to accentuate playful moments of proximity to each other and within the lighted space, of being visible and not visible and contrasting this with closer, more intimate shots that a live performance might struggle to capture.

Film maker: Eleanor Mortimer

Dancers: Alexandra Carter and Donna Brenchley

WW1:Ipswich Remembers

WW1:Ipswich Remembers was performed on Saturday March 17 2018 at The Corn Exchange in Ipswich.

Ipswich Remembers. Ipswich Choral Society and Dance East — Photograph: © Matthew Clarke

What people said:

“……full of invention and sincerity”

“….an artistic triumph involving every possible means of human expression! I have not been as moved by any “performance” (a rather inadequate word for what took place)…”
Stephen, Ipswich Art Society

“… It was an amazing celebration and tribute and it really was one of the best concerts I have been to in recent years.”

“Truly amazing, wonderful. Choir, dance, light, images – all my thing. I found it really emotional”.

…makes me feel very humbled and full of emotions I cannot find the words to explain…’magnificent’ described some dancers, ‘seamless and smooth’ described the whole show.
Carole, participant

…We are lucky to have such a great choreographer…
Bobbie, participant

… Everything about the conception, artistry and execution was a joy to witness…It was a truly humbling experience, and something that will remain with me always. Everyone who took part should feel a tremendous sense of pride and achievement … The choreography was incredibly touching and very, very strong. You obviously have a keen sense of what ‘works’, and how to get the best out of each of your dancers, and this was evident in the consistently high level of execution at every stage of the performance.
Tom Randle, Tenor

A review by Robert Pacitti, Artist + Curator, SPILL Festival

Ipswich Remembers opened important cultural space for shared community remembrance of the WW1 centenary, with sensitive, care, and great skill.

A diverse cast of dancing kids, adults and seniors shared the space with singers and musicians, Morris’s dancers, orators and material presented on video.

What could have been a little bit worthy and perhaps clunky in the ways large works with a social function performed by non-professionals can sometimes be, was in fact deeply moving and flowed thoughtfully from one scene to another.

Themes of remembrance, bravery, loss, stigma, labour and the potential for peace were set choreographically by Mary Davies with tremendous generosity, to moving music beautifully performed by the choir and musicians.

The first half of the event established a formal structure and presented material which was accessible and appropriate to the large local audience in attendance, including some wartime songs and texts that would have been familiar to some.

The second half of the event blindsided me in its intensity and dared to go a little further formally. This was certainly a feat of genuine community organisation that clearly set out with a high quality bar in place, which in turn delivered a meaningful and moving work for the people of Ipswich to properly have space and time to remember.

It managed to be that rare thing – a work about a really difficult subject where nonetheless our tears were those only of joy for the energy and agency on show.