IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BALLET IRELAND
As an alternative to a more classical repertoire, Ballet Ireland’s final programme in its ongoing Bold Moves series features contemporary choreography by the internationally renowned choreographers Johan Inger and Filipe Portugal …
“Ballet is more than tutus and tiaras and Bold Moves has been a pure example of this,” explains Anne Maher, Artistic Director and CEO of Ballet Ireland. “The Bold Moves season was first shown in 2019, which began our journey of presenting the work of internationally renowned choreographers to Irish audiences, broadening the scope for ballet in Ireland.”
Not only have Irish audiences been immersed in evocative repertoires by choreographers such as Zoe Ashe-Browne, Marguerite Donlon, Aszure Barton and Christopher Bruce, Bold Moves has also given dancers a chance to expand their artistic and technical skills.
This season, a double bill of works from Filipe Portugal and Johan Inger will be presented from March 22-30 in a production featuring 16 international dancers including Irish dancers Niamh O’Flannagain (from Co Dublin) and Ruaidhri Maguire (from Co Derry).
Johan Inger’s Walking Mad has been described as the perfect balance between choreography and theatrical effects. It is set to the music of Ravel’s Bolero and Arvo Pärt’s Für Alina, and is an intense (sometimes comical) and unforgettable romp.
Filipe Portugal’s Stepping Over is set to Philip Glass’ Tirol Piano Concerto. It was first premiered in Ireland in 2022 when it wowed audiences because of its sensuality.
Clearly, Bold Moves is a diverse and demanding programme for the dancers. “The difference between this more contemporary performance versus the classical is it’s a lot more physical,” admits Ruaidhri Maguire. “You’re on stage quite a lot, there’s so much dancing, which for a dancer is exactly what you want. For me personally I love giving everything to a piece and everything to a production because it is so rewarding.”
Niamh O’Flannagain explains, “To prepare for a show like Bold Moves we have quite a long rehearsal period of around seven to eight weeks because we have three different pieces to learn.” Niamh says that she has to adopt a different mindset during preparation. “In ballet, a lot of the time we are holding our muscles and we are trying to be in control, whereas with contemporary pieces more time is spent letting go and using the release of the muscles to move faster and use up more space so it’s really interesting.”
Typically, both Niamh and Ruaidhri will be in all-day technique classes, rehearsals and warm-up sessions prior to the performances of Bold Moves in March, which will take place in the O’Reilly Theatre, Belvedere College, Dublin 1.
Integral to their enjoyment is audience involvement. Niamh says, “My favourite part of performing is having an audience present because we get so much energy from the audience. When you feel that energy coming back from the audience it’s really amazing, there is such a buzz.”
If audience participation and pleasure is a fundamental part of Bold Moves, it’s also an important programme for young dancers and choreographers to experience and learn from it as part of their own development. As such, Bold Moves will appeal to ballet insiders as well as dance enthusiasts alike.
Need to Know: Bold Moves 2024, a double bill featuring internationally renowned choreographers Johan Inger and Filipe Portugal takes place from March 22 – 30 March, in O’Reilly Theatre, Belvedere College, Dublin 1 at 7:30pm. Tickets range from €30 – €39 (plus booking fees). To book tickets call (01) 518 0599 or visit www.takeyourseats.ie.
